Disney Birthday

Hello Lovely Readers,

The last time I spent my birthday at a Disney property was in 2001 at California Adventure during their opening year. 

Not sure if buttons were a thing then, but they are now, and it was fun wearing one for the day, even if it was a day late.

I couldn't go on my actual birthday since my pass is blocked out on weekends & Federal holidays. So on my actual birthday, October 13th, I ventured over to Disney Springs for a photo shoot, lunch at Earl of Sandwich, and a cookie at Gideon's before heading over to my off-property hotel.

My plan on the 14th was to rope drop Epcot and ride the Guardians of the Galaxy. Well, that didn't happen! I did get there right at opening but the wait was already at 105 minutes, and I had a breakfast reservation at The Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort at 10:45, so on to plan B.

While eating awesome macadamia nut pancakes with pineapple sauce and bacon, I came up with the plan to visit all four parks and use the four modes of transportation to travel to all of them. My car was parked at Epoct. 

While at each, I would get a photo at their icon with my button, then do a reverse one with my arms in the air. I also went on one ride, or went to a show at each park. I didn't since I was full from my delicious pancakes, and knew I was ending my night at Epcot. The Food & Wine was in full swing, and I was making my way through my list

       

I always take advantage of having a photopass, so besides these photos, I stood in line for character shots at Magic Kingdom & Epcot.

I also rode two roller-coasters, which I really shouldn't. Everest at Animal Kingdom & Guardians at Epcot.

A busy day, more hours than I usually stay, but all in all a fantastic, solo 59th birthday trip!

Instagram reel~ Birthday @ WDW

Until next time,

Road Trip 2003

Hello Lovely Readers,

20 years ago we took our 1st road trip together to celebrate my 37th birthday. Before we left, he gave me my present, a Build-A-Bear bunny {I ❤ 🐇}. If you have ever been to one, you know there is a process to making them, and I would have loved to actually have seen him do the dance, and everything else. He named her "Dirty Girl" and dressed her in a little black pleather skirt, biker boots and a pink off the shoulder shirt. I still have it all.

We decided to drive to the Grand Canyon and then go to Vegas. Neither of us had been to the Grand Canyon, and it was Javier's first trip to Las Vegas. I was three months pregnant so lots of potty breaks along the way. We stayed in a cute little town, Williams, AZ on Route 66. While at the Grand Canyon, I discovered Javier's fear of heights. He freaked out a bit when me and his baby got, what he thought was w-a-y too close to the edge. We hiked a bit and had a nice picnic at the top of the south side, while watching the sunset on my birthday. 

We also drove over to Sedona, where we found his name engraved on keychain. I would always look for his name on things when we went somewhere, but even in 2003 it was rare to find Hispanic names on souvenirs. When I was a girl it was rare to find my name on things, so I knew the struggle. Side story, that's how we came up with Connor's name, and why it's or, not er. We were in a shop in Seaport Village, San Diego and I was looking at zipper pulls, and saying "C" names out loud, and we both liked the same one. I wanted our son to find his name with the correct spelling on any souvenir item.

We then headed over to Vegas. It's a different experience being in Vegas pregnant, and we did a lot if nongambling/drinking things. My bunny even got a Vegas t-shirt. This picture was taken before going up the Eiffel Tower. Shows you how much he loved me, he powered through it because I wanted to go. We has a great time on our 1st of many road trips we took over the almost 18 years we were together.

I miss him so much...

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Hi lovely readers,

For some of you today is a "spooky" day, for me it's my 57th birthday. I was born on a Thursday so my 1st birthday was on Friday the 13th!

Here are some 13 facts~

• Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th
• Friday the 13th didn’t become a  superstitious day until the Victorian Era
• The movie with Jason first came out in on May 1980
• Judas was the 13th guest at the Last Supper
• Loki was the 13th guest at Valhalla
• A book called "Friday the 13th" came out in 1907. It's about an unscrupulous stockbroker
• There are 13 lunar cycles in a year
• Both Friday & 13 have roots in paganism
• Then of course, there's Taylor Swift and her love of the number 

Any others?

Beverage Monday~Libra Cocktails

Hi Lovely Readers,

I'm not sure if I'll do this every Monday, but since my birthday is this week I'm going to kick- off the feature again with Libra Cocktails. 

Libra is an air sign ruled by Venus. Pink, rose & pomegranate are colors, scents and flavors of the the sign so all the drinks are pink, with pomegranate, and are garnished or dashed with roses.

The Libra Cocktail

• ¾ oz. reposado tequila
• ¾ oz blanc vermouth 
• ¾ oz. pomegranate liqueur 
• ½ oz. orange curacao 
• ¾ oz pineapple juice 
• ½ oz. lime juice
• dash of bitters 
• rose petals

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake until well-chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass, add rose petals as a garnish.

Recipe from Veranda

The Venus Fizz

• 2 ozs. of light rum
• 1 oz. fresh lemon juice (strained)
• 1 tsp. rosewater
• ¾ oz. Coco Lopez coconut cream
• ¼ oz. grenadine
• ¾ oz. pasteurized egg whites 
• 2 ounces approx. soda water
• rose petals

Add the rum, lemon juice, rosewater, Coco Lopez and grenadine into a shaker. Add ice shake until chilled. Strain the liquid into another container and add the egg whites, then use a milk frother to aerate the egg whites. Look for a firmer foam to appear on top of the drink

{or you may return the drink into a shaker and shake without ice for around 5 minutes}. Pour into a chilled Collins glass and top with soda water till the foam goes just above the lip of the glass. There should be a light and airy foam top. Garnish with rose petals.

Recipe from Rum Raiders

Rose Water Fizz

• Champagne
• 3 dashes rosewater
• 1 oz. pomegranate juice 
• pomegranate seeds

Add rosewater and pomegranate juice to a flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Recipe from Yahoo 

Cheers 🥂 

Hamilton

Hi lovely readers,

For my birthday this year, I took myself to the theater to see Hamilton at the Segerstrom in Orange County, CA. My first time seeing a Broadway production there.

It's been a several years since I've been to the theatre. It's something I did with my mom from the time I was 14, starting with "A Chorus Line". We went to numerous ones over the years all over Los Angeles & Hollywood.

When I lived in San Diego I would go to whatever tours came through. Javier actually came to a couple of shows with me.

I knew this birthday would be a hard one with Connor at college, and only Dio to entertain me. I am trying to remember the woman that I was before I was a wife and mom.

It's a whole new world being a solo empty nester!

Do you like Broadway shows? What are your favorites?

October 13

Today is my birthday. I found this fun thing on Pantone. The people who bring us the color trends each year. This is Colorstrology. It gives the color that is represented by your day. Kinda cool and you can order the whole year, too.

This is what Ocotber the 13th says-

Color-Opal Blue-According to the website "This is my personal color that pertains to the real me"

Practical, Builder, Driven

"You are capable of handling huge amounts of responsibility. You can work tirelessly as long as you can see the fruits of your labor. Although you can do things very well on your own, it is often better to align your objectives with others. Home and family are important to your well-being. Try to stay lighthearted and do not allow your goals to dictate all your waking hours. Wearing, meditating or surrounding yourself with Opal Blue helps lighten the serious side of your nature while promoting the realization of your dreams."

Try it and see what you color is.
Happy Reading,

Beverage Monday & Steph's Birthday

In honor of my birthday today, I am featuring some of my favorite cocktails.

Sex on the Beach
{this is my favorite version}
1 oz vodka
1/2 oz Midori
1/2 oz Chambord
splash pf pineapple juice
cranberry juice
In a highball start with vodka then Midori, Chambord and cranberry juice. Add a splash of pineapple juice. Add pineapple & cherry flag to garnish.


Russian Quaalude
1 oz Kahlua
1 oz vodka
1 oz Baily's
1 oz Frangelico
1 oz half & half
Put them in a rocks glass filled with ice in order. Enjoy.


White Chocolate Raspberry Martini
1/2 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
1/2 oz Godiva white chocolate liqueur
1/2 oz light creme de cacao
1/2 oz Bailey's
1/2 oz vodka
1 oz half-and-half
Pour all of the above ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well, and pour into a chilled martini glass drizzled with chocolate syrup. Top off with a couple of raspberries.


My All-Time Favorite
Black Jack
1 1/2 oz Jack Daniels
Coke


Put the Jack Daniels in a rocks glass filled with ice. Top it off with coke.


Thinking about these I don't know which one to have today.

Cheers,