Sun & Sand

So... I've been AWOL for two whole weeks.  And for two reasons, actually.  First, Spencer and I were lucky enough to have a full week here.

{ What is up with my hair? }

It was really a gift.  Peace, quiet, sun and sand.  We saw manatees, dolphins and sea turtles.  And I went through an entire bottle of sunscreen.  { But not a bit of sunburn. Booyah. } Thank you, Truett, for a wonderful week away!

I went with all of these grand intentions of cooking and blogging... and while we did cook, there was virtually no internet connection.  So I abandoned the computer and stuck my feet in the sand. No regrets. : )

As for last week, well, the post-vacation-email-pile-up was compounded by an unusually busy week at the office.  So busy that we ordered Papa John's one night { I forget how much I love that stuff! }, ate PB&J another, and then cleaned out every Lean Cuisine in the freezer.  Hosting a meeting for 1,000 people has a way of eating up some serious time.  { It was a simulcast with wardrobe, lights, cameras and all... I felt like Diane Sawyer!  So fun. }

But now that life is back to normal again, I'm keenly aware that my kitchen feels neglected.  Back to baking ASAP!

Keys to the (Magic) Kingdom

Growing up in Florida kind of made me a Disney fanatic.  Having resident passes as a kid, we went all. the. time.  Some of my favorite childhood memories are there.  And I've always been intrigued by how they put everything together so seamlessly.  { Or how they manage to tame giant ants. }

{ On the "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids!" playground at Disney's MGM Studios when I was maybe 8 }

But did you know that there is a part of Walt Disney World that 95% of guests will never see?  And that some people think only exists in Disney legends?  Well, I can vouch that the the Utilidors { or "the tunnels", as most Cast Members call them } are definitely real.  Definitely underneath the park, not underground { this is Florida, folks.  Underground = underwater }.  And definitely cool.

As part our recent trip, we went on the "Keys to the Kingdom" Tour.  It started at 9:00, with a requested arrival time of 8:45.  Being the punctual { okay, OCD } person that I am, I did some investigating beforehand.  The park doesn't open until 9:00, so I was all concerned about finding this little Tour Garden where we were supposed to meet our guide.  And as usual, I had no reason to worry.  In true Disney fashion, everything was seamless.  There's a gate for early access, just for tours and appointments {at places like the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique }.  And the cool part was, we were virtually the only people in the park because it wasn't open yet.  It was a great chance for fun photos without the crowds.  If you're ever making appointments for the kiddos or choosing a tour time for yourself, I would definitely recommend those before the park opens.

{ Contrary to popular belief, this is Roy O. Disney, Walt's older brother }

And the tour itself was just so neat!  We had eleven people in our group, and we spent the day learning about all kinds of Disney "magic".  Little things, like how the tree outside the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square has 13 lanterns hanging from it, one for each colony.  And how the address at the Hall of Presidents is 1787, the year the Constitution was ratified.

{ It's all in the details. }

Then there were the hidden Mickeys located throughout the park.  There's an entire book dedicated to it, so we were only shown a few by comparison.  But it's still fun to feel like you're in the know!  Most were placed there by Imagineers as a way to sign their work, but there's one in the Haunted Mansion that was started by Cast Members.  Apparently when an Imagineer stops by they'll undo it... but as soon as they leave the Cast Members will put it back.  Pretty cool!

We took a private ride on the Jungle Cruise.  There's a hidden Mickey in there, and even an homage to disco, but given my recent experience with Tai these guys were my favorite.  : )

Speaking of the Haunted Mansion... I think we saw someone we know. { Or is it knew? }

{ Sorry, Maude.  Couldn't resist. }

Of course you can't take pictures of the infamous tunnels, but honestly they're not that much to look at.  They were designed by Admiral Joe Fowler, and since he was in the Navy... they feel a whole lot like a color-coded submarine.  Each area is painted differently so that you know what's above you.  There are all sorts of secrets under there... things that shape your experience up above.  But things I won't spoil for you. : )

If you're at all interested in what goes into a Disney Park experience, I would highly recommend the Keys to the Kingdom tour.  It was well worth it and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Just A Sneak Peek

Yesterday, it was the Magic Kingdom...

Today, the world! { Well, more like Epcot. Or Hollywood Studios. }

The Happiest Place on Earth

357 days ago, SDK and I said "I do".  And we're headed to the happiest place on earth to celebrate!

Yep.  Walt Disney World!  Growing up in Florida, I have so many memories in this place. I vividly remember those light blue vinyl strollers and the tickley feeling as you bump over that bridge to the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room. : ) Just wish I were still eligible for a Resident Pass!

I can't wait for the Main Street Electrical Parade { can't you just hear that music? }, riding Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion... though sadly the Tiki Room is closed for renovation.  And, we'll be checking something off my Bucket List.  We're going on the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour, which means going underground into the infamous Utilidors!

Laundry is finished, sunscreen is packed, and this girl is ready to GO!

California Dreamin'

I love it when a work trip feels sort of like a vacation.  And this has definitely been one of those trips.  When you can walk to great breakfast, sit with your laptop overlooking the sea, get a pedicure at Fred Segal and have dinner beside Reese Witherspoon, I think it's safe to say it's been a good one.  The only thing that would make this better is if SDK were here.

{ Now, I say it feels like a vacation as of this moment, but we're only halfway through the first of two overnight TV shoots.  It's 11:30pm and we'll probably go until 4:00am.  Ask me later and I may have a slightly different answer. }

Regardless, Santa Monica is beautiful.  Case in point from my walk on Monday morning:

Our hotel overlooks these bluffs, the PCH, the enormous beach and the Pacific.  Growing up on the Atlantic coast of Florida, this is an entirely different kind of beach than what I'm used to.  The water out here is freezing, but it sure is gorgeous.  And the landscaping!  All of this lush greenery has me dying to grow things back at home. { Even though I've already managed to kill both a basil plant and cilantro in the last three weeks.  At least my mint and rosemary are still alive.  Looks like I'm going to have to work a little harder to claim that I inherited mom's green thumb. }

But check this out.  There are succulents literally growing on the walls outside our hotel, and they're like none I've ever seen.

Seriously, these bad boys are HUGE!  Those bright green ones at the bottom are the size of a dinner plate.  Does anyone know what they are?  { Carmen?  Alison?  Mom? } Succulents don't take much water, so maybe these would be more my speed for now.  I don't really like killing things.  It's kind of discouraging.

Along those same lines, I am loving the color of my room.  It's the most perfect, calming shade of blue.  So sweetheart, get the paint brushes ready.  I've finally found the color to paint our bathroom!  I love how quickly a change in scenery brings instant inspiration.

And I've had lots of changes in scenery this week.  Like now, for instance.  This is what I'm looking at right now.

I love my job. : )

Anchors Away...

There are two kinds of people in this world.  Those who love cruises and those who don't.  Or perhaps more accurately, those who've never been.  My family growing up was definitely the latter.  We were more of the "fly somewhere, rent a car and drive as far as possible in every direction" kind of people.  Maybe it was because we lived in southern Florida and had about all we could handle of sand and such, but I've only set foot on a "cruise" ship once.  { And I use quotation marks for a reason.  It was a retired ship, re-commissioned to send students on educational tours around the Mediterranean.  I was 17 and I went with the Latin Club.  I'm told that doesn't count as cruising. }

My husband's family on the other hand... cruisers.  Big time.  As in, he can quote tonnage and berth and uses words like "aft" and "lido deck."  He even hit the $1500 jackpot in a game of Bingo on a boat when he was 10.  The kid's been on maybe a dozen cruises in his lifetime.

With our first anniversary fast approaching, we'd like to go somewhere tropical.  Spencer's vote?  A cruise, of course.  Me?  I'm worried about crowds, cheesy tour directors, tacky decor and buffets of mediocre food all aboard a giant floating Holiday Inn.  { That, and the possibility of the power going out and us being stuck at sea for days in the dark with only Pop Tarts and SPAM to eat.  And then there's that whole Titanic thing.  Are there icebergs in the Caribbean? }

{ I mean, this looks nice! }

In the spirit of don't-knock-it-'til-you've-tried-it, though, I'm willing to give it a shot.  After a bit of research and trying to overcome the stereotypes in my head, my wish list is as follows:

• Preferably Not on Carnival - For some reason this just conjures up images of loud and tacky boats full of crazy college kids on Spring Break.  Fun when you're one of them... but it seems like that might put a damper on the whole romantic anniversary getaway thing.  Celebrity, Royal Carribbean, Cunard, Crystal... those sound more my style.
• Avoid Mexico - While I'm sure it's beautiful, and I'd love to see the Mayan Ruins, I don't exactly want to run into a drug cartel.  And I have visions of Senor Frogs.
• Balcony/Window - If we can afford it, I'd love to have a view of some kind.  I've come to grips that the room will be small, but a little sunshine would be nice.
• Leave Out of Ft. Lauderdale - I'd love to tack on a day or two and show Spencer where I grew up.
• Budget - I'm a champagne girl on a beer budget.  Of this I am well aware.  But I refuse to feel like I have to wear socks in our room at all times.  So there has to be a balance.  Where is the TJ Maxx of vacations?

{ Calgon, take me away! }

So, when you cross-reference my wish list with the one week we'd be able to go... there is only one cruise that matches them all.  And of course, it's the newest, fanciest, largest ship in the world. { Read: fabulous, but way too expensive. }  Something's gotta give.

We could sacrifice the line and go on Carnival.  But looking at the virtual tours online makes me think it might be like vacationing aboard Liberace's houseboat.  Then again, we could get a better room since the they are less expensive.

Or, we could leave out of Port Canaveral... which means we could drive { parking at the port would be cheaper than airfare } and be on Royal Caribbean, though not on the brand-new fancy-schmancy boat.  The ship seems very nice and only a few years old, but we would make one stop in Mexico.

So... if you're one of the few people still reading this { hi Mom! }. what do you think?  Have you ever been on a cruise?  Any tips for a first-timer?