the pickle tree

Have you ever seen a pickle ornament? They're big in German tradition, and since my husband and I are both German by blood (he was actually born there and my grandfather was born there) we obviously have a pickle ornament on our tree every year. If he'd let me, I'd get another, but he thinks one is enough. I may try to sneak another on the tree this year though! We don't follow the tradition of the pickle mainly because we don't have any kids. You're supposed to hide the pickle ornament in the tree somewhere and the first person to find it wins a special present. We just hang it up near the top close to a few other ornaments that are traditional ornaments on our tree every year.

In the German pavilion in Epcot, the ornament shop has an entire tree dedicated to the pickle ornament. I'm not sure exactly when it became a tradition for us to take a selfie with the tree, but lately on every visit to Epcot (which always includes a trip into Germany) we take a selfie with the pickle ornament tree!!!

I pulled out some of the green papers from Shimelle's Christmas Magic collection, and used the tree pattern paper too for the bottom strip, to put this layout together. I kept it pretty simple with the design as well. I also pulled out the green thicker's from the older Garden Party collection (I think that was the name of that collection). I always buy thicker's in sets of two so I have plenty of letters to use, but that means that I have plenty of letters to use for quite a while!!! These went with the green theme of the layout really well.

This layout (and the one from yesterday) are really starting to get me into the holiday spirit. I can't believe it's less than two months away now. How time flies that's for sure!! I feel like we just did this. The years are going faster and faster!! Thanks for stopping by!
deb

Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival: Part II (The Topiary Creations)

Disney is known for it's amazing landscaping. Part of the draw of the Flower & Garden Festival is the amazing topiary creations. There are other features you can experience during the festival, like getting advice from professionals and such, but we usually go for the topairies!!! This is a photo heavy post and I am going to let the creations speak for them selves! I didn't take a photo of everything, just what I really loved!!!

 

 

Like I said before, if you ever have the opportunity to visit during the Flower & Garden Festival, I highly recommend it. We went on a Sunday and while it was busy, it wasn't too busy! Still a most enjoyable day spent with family! Thanks for stopping by!!
deb

Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival: Part I (The Food)

Today my 'office' is the loveseat in my living room. I am accompanied by my middle cat, Bum, and my dog Daisy. I think Rocky, my oldest cat, is on the couch behind me! I don't have human kids, but my four legged furry babies are my kids! I love them endlessly and I am so grateful that they are in my life. Just wanted to share that randomness!! I am nothing if not random!!

A the beginning of the month, my parents flew down to Orlando (where I live with my hubby and aforementioned 'kids') partly to celebrate their 42nd anniversary, partly to celebrate Mother's Day (they were here the week prior), and partly because my mom had been wanting to visit Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival for YEARS!! We've all been to the Food & Wine Festival a few times, but since my mom is an H&R Block tax professional, usually the F&G Festival is over before she gets done with tax season. The last few years, however, both Epcot festivals have run a little longer, so it was perfect for a long weekend visit. And it was the first of three, maybe four, visits I'll have with family this year. Sometimes it's usually one visit in a year. The fact that there will be more than one is pretty exciting!

While the Flower & Garden Festival is FULL of Disney creations, there are also awesome food booths. Not nearly to the extent of the Food & Wine Festival, but still there were several things I wouldn't normally eat, so it was fun! As I've gotten older, Epcot really has become my favorite of the four Disney theme parks. It might be because there is beer!!!

The first stop was at the pastry shop in France. I tried a lemon & raspberry filled macaroon. I've never had a macaroon before and this just looked so yummy. It was a bit tart for my tastes, and I likely won't get this again, but I am so glad I was brave and tried something new!

Next up was The Smokehouse. This was the stop I had been waiting for ALL DAY!!! Maple Bacon Stout, Pulled Pig Sandwich, and Maple Bacon Cupcake. The Maple Bacon lover in me was in Heaven!!! Such goodness in a cup and on a plate!! I have the cupcake recipe and I'm just waiting for the perfect occasion to try my hand at making them!!

The Smokehouse was in front of the American Adventure. When we walk around the countries in Epcot, we always start on the Canada side and go around to Mexico. I don't know why, but this is how we roll EVERY time!! We did check out the American Adventure feature while we were there. It's been so long since I've seen it and it is one of my favorite stops. Plus, it's always good to take a break from the FL sun in some air conditioning!! The entertainment while you wait is usually pretty good too! From there we made our way around to Germany which always requires a stop in the Werther's caramel shop. The smell...of how I wish I could bottle the smell from this shop! There are two cases of treats (both are the same) and a pretty wide variety of choices. This year I went with the chocolate & caramel covered smores. How have I never seen this before! I enjoyed this treat while my hubby had a brat from the Festhaus walk-up food stop. We sat with my parents at a table right in the middle of Germany. Such fun!!

Our last stop of the day was for some 'adult' dole whip. Love the dole whip and I'm so glad that Epcot has an adult version. I had mine with the Malibu Coconut Rum. It was like a frozen pina colada! Yumminess in a cup right there that's for sure!!! I will certainly be having on this summer when we visit the parks in August during the next trip. It will be a welcome refresher from the heat!!

If you're ever in town during the Flower & Garden Festival, I highly recommend you check it out! I'll be back with Part II. Wait until you see some of the awesome topiary creations! Until then, thanks for stopping by!
deb