Always Let Your Stomach Be Your Guide About This Page:

[LLaffinPlace]

Just getting caught up, Sharon.

I think Bob and I have had that room at BWV--or the last one! We had a view of the ToT, too.

And I LOVE the ToT ears. Very clever. We need to fill up a car sometime where everyone has a pair on. Wouldn't that be cool?

The chocolate demonstration/lecture looks and sounds very cool. I did the 3D Disney Dessert Discovery last year with a bunch of people. It was amazing! The reserved location for Illuminations was just the, ahem, icing on the cake.

So glad you got to hook up with the Koenigs. They are so much fun.

And it's a good thing Eileen loves you as much as she does. I'm just sayin'.

[Linnynad]

Now that seminar sounds amazing. Glad you tried/learned so much too. I would love to see that mole recipe, I'm actually making braised short ribs with bitterweet chocloate right now...........so with the smell of that going and reading this post, I'm bout ready to eat my arm off

[MosyBliss]

Now that's my kind of seminar! It all looked scrumptious.

[ilovedisney247]

The Chocolate Seminar sound like it was awesome! I'm so sorry we missed out on it by a day!

[mom2twingirlies]

Wow.... all caught up after being off line for several days.

I too would love a 3 ingredient truffle recipe.
That seminar looked super yummy.
What a day you had for seeing baby animals. But those bus connections really stunk. I'm not sure that waving at you made missing the bus better or worse.
How cute was that kimono, I saw her picture in the birthday TR and loved her in it, so glad she got one.
What a nice time you had with the Koenigs.
Too funny that you were texting someone you didn't know. I can just imagine whomever you texted reading your text and wondering what food and wine festival and why am I meeting you????
How cute was Lilly and that new baby elephant!
I must admit, I love looking at other photopass pictures to see how many adults are more scared than the kids.

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by LLaffinPlace

And it's a good thing Eileen loves you as much as she does. I'm just sayin'.

Yeah!!

[PrincessSharon]

I'll post both recipes in a bit!

Originally Posted by davishomeschool

I would love the receipe for the truffles. The chicken I don't know if I would like. I've never had it. Is it sweet? That lady bug is the cutiest.

That lady bug was also very tasty! Mole isn't sweet. And honestly, it's not exactly chocolaty either. It's difficult to describe really. Just a hint of chocolate, but oh so good.

Originally Posted by PamelaK

I'm another one that would love the truffle recipe. The lady bug is the most adorable chocolate ever!

It is cute, isn't it? But not too cute to eat.

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Oh, yes, the Italy guy!! Must have been the same one I was highly entertained with. Took the hand of every lady in line to kiss and went on and on and on..... He was quite amusing! I also had the Ravioli and was looking for the crusty cheese parts!!!

Oh.my.chocolate!!!! How wonderful was that? I understand they only had like 3 or 4 of these seminars, I think. Of course, one wasn't offered when I was there. It sounded like pure heaven. Wow! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!

Sounds like you saw the same Italian CM!

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

All that chocolate looked A.MAZ.ING!!!
I'd love the truffle recipe, and the mole!
But escargot? Bugs? I've never seen wings or legs on them...and they are delicious! Especially if you have some bread to dip in the garlic butter...mmmmmmm.

I say, if it lives in my garden, it's a bug. And you can't make me eat it.

Originally Posted by Caldercup

Okay, you've convinced me -- I'll try mole again. (I had it once 20 years ago and ... I was not a fan.)

Well, I've heard more people say they didn't like mole, so I expect there are a bunch of lousy recipes out there. If you go out and try it somewhere and still don't like it, don't blame me.

Originally Posted by lauriep

Yummy updates! I agree with you about the berry compote on the Belgian Waffle. Nice tart berry flavor, firm pieces of berry, not too sweet. I'm not a chocolate lover, but the seminar sounds great. I'm going to one tomorrow (another dessert one, with berries featured) and hope it's as entertaining (and that we get some good loot!).

Can't wait to hear about that seminar!

Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0

This update actually made me a little sad for your mom, because I think she would have loved that seminar so much! It seems right up her alley! But thank goodness you got to bring her back some treats. And those shells, what was in them?

Don't worry, DM loved the chocolate just as much as if she'd been there (and honestly, I doubt she would've enjoyed it more in person). The shells had a fantastic chocolate filling AND a delicious chocolate pearl. I took a photo of the inside, but it came out blurry. I think I may have been shaking with anticipation. I'm not sure I deleted the photo, so maybe I'll check the card and post it.

Originally Posted by chezp

That seminar sounded so good and looked so and you're not the only one who expects the Wonders of Life to smell of mothballs, as it always seems to whenever we've been in it in recent years.

I love the chance to get in there (stinky or not), but it makes me sad that when I do, it's because of a special event. They need to do something permanent with it.

Originally Posted by HollyH

What a great seminar! I would have loved it. Glad you got some goodies for your DM. And now you can make her some yummy truffles too.

I'm with you on the escargo, but I don't think of them as "bugs" -I always think of them as worms .

I guess snails are kinda wormy. Whatever, I'm not eating it!

Originally Posted by DrDolphin

What a great update!!

RECIPES - PLEASE!!! (ok - enough yelling and jumping up and down).
Your seminar sounded WONDERFUL!!! To quote Miss Sarah - Oh My Lanta!!! Sounds just fabulous (and rock star seating points to you my friend!). Glad you brought home some of the goodies to share with DM.

Escargot - not bugs, snails. And yummy ones at that. If you like calamari... you will like their cousin, escargot! I even got my niece to eat them when she was 8! I am also a fan of their big brother - conch!

Well, calamari and conch don't live in my garden.

Originally Posted by LLaffinPlace

Just getting caught up, Sharon.

I think Bob and I have had that room at BWV--or the last one! We had a view of the ToT, too.

And I LOVE the ToT ears. Very clever. We need to fill up a car sometime where everyone has a pair on. Wouldn't that be cool?

The chocolate demonstration/lecture looks and sounds very cool. I did the 3D Disney Dessert Discovery last year with a bunch of people. It was amazing! The reserved location for Illuminations was just the, ahem, icing on the cake.

So glad you got to hook up with the Koenigs. They are so much fun.

And it's a good thing Eileen loves you as much as she does. I'm just sayin'.

I am hoping DM and I can do the 3D dessert thing next year!

Originally Posted by Linnynad

Now that seminar sounds amazing. Glad you tried/learned so much too. I would love to see that mole recipe, I'm actually making braised short ribs with bitterweet chocloate right now...........so with the smell of that going and reading this post, I'm bout ready to eat my arm off

At least you had something yummy cooking! Imagine if you had to read about it and then eat like a Lean Cuisine or something. Not fun!

Originally Posted by Caldercup

Yeah!!

What? Don't be such a baby!

[WeRDisneyFanatics]

The chocolate seminar sounds amazing and delicious!!!!

[PrincessSharon]

Mole Chicken with Pure Venezuelan Chocolate and Purple Potato Puree

Servings 4

Ingredients
3 purple potatoes cubed
2 yellow fingerling potatoes cubed
3 medium sized chicken breasts boneless and skinless
2 T. Mycryo cocoa butter or vegetable oil
½ onion
1 garlic clove
1 cup red wine
1 ½ ounces speciale Fond Brun base sauce
½ t. cayenne pepper
1/8 t. ground cinnamon
½ t. salt
1/8 t. ground pepper
1 whole star anise pod
¼ vanilla pod
2 cups chicken stock
2 oz. Moonstruck Pure Venezuelan dark chocolate 74%

Method:
Pre cook the purple and yellow potatoes but cook partially or “half way” so they are still firm. Set aside.

Cut the chicken into medium size cubes and pat dry on a paper towel.

Place in a bowl and add the Mycryo cocoa butter powder. Toss to cover each cube with cocoa butter powder.

Heat a large pot on a hot stove and sauté the chicken cubes, chopped onion and chopped garlic to a golden color. Cook completely and remove from the pot.

Deglaze the pot with a bit of red wine to capture the caramelized bottom of the pot and add the special fond Brun base sauce to dissolve in the red wine.

Add all the spices at once and start adding the chicken stock little by little to keep the sauce to a simmer while stirring.

Add the broken pieces of Venezuelan chocolate to the sauce and stir in.

Add the pre cooked potatoes cut into pieces and stir into the mole sauce. Add the chicken cubes and mix gently.

[PrincessSharon]

Brigadero Brazilian Truffles

Servings 4

Ingredients
3 ounces dark chocolate (shaved)
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
nuts or chocolate decorations (optional flavor if needed)

Method:
Shave the chocolate and set aside in a bowl.

Using a medium large pot, pour the condensed milk and place on a low heat.

Stir constantly until the milk reaches a boil and keep cooking until the condensed milk starts to “cream up”.

Remove from the heat and add the chocolate and stir.

Transfer to a separate dish to cool completely. Cover but do not refrigerate.

A few hours later scoop small balls of Brigadero truffle mix and roll in your hands and then roll gently in the prepared nuts or chocolate decorations.

Serve the same day for best flavor.

[BoBissa]

Thanks for posting the recipes!

[PrincessSharon]

Day Three, Part Three
Trick or treat!

I walked out of Epcot and to the Boardwalk. I took the long walk to my room and stowed my goodies away. I changed for the party (not into a costume, just a Halloween t-shirt). I walked to the bus stop and wouldn’t you know it, for the third time today, the bus was pulling away. I didn’t even bother to get a photo that time.

After waiting for another bus to arrive, I climbed aboard and was on my way to the MK. Once there, I got my wristband and trick or treat bag (which stayed empty until after the 2nd parade, but I’m getting ahead of myself). I planned to spend the evening meeting characters and doing party activities rather than riding, so I figured I’d get in a few rides before the party started. But first, some photos of Main Street.







I walked to Adventureland first, hoping to ride the Jungle Cruise. The line was too long (it was like 30 minutes), so I moved on. No line for Pirates! Arrrrrgh! The boats got a little backed up, which allowed me to get a few decent photos for a change.









I wandered around a bit longer ending up in Frontierland. The line for BTMRR was too long for me to wait, and I didn’t want to get wet. I noticed a train pulling in, so I decided to take a ride (I love the peek they give you into the construction in former Toontown).

I decided to get off the train at Main Street and get a few more photos.















Then I decided to go to Tomorrowland. I love the Peoplemover, so I did that. As I was zipping around Tomorrowland, I heard the announcement that the Party was officially underway. After my ride, I decided to do my first official ride of MNSSHP – the Haunted Mansion!



Then it was time to find a spot for the first Villains show. I liked this show – it was fun!



And I loved meeting the villains after the show!



I was exited to get to meet Dr. Facilier for the first time. He was good – really in character, and struck some pretty cool poses.

I still had a bit of time before the villains left, and Frollo had only one person waiting, so I got to meet him too.



I have to admit I find Frollo a little creepy. I mean his character in The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Total creepy pervert! I’m surprised I haven’t run into him at an airport or train station somewhere!

I really wanted to meet Maleficent, so I made sure to note where her line was so I could be there right away next time. Then I ventured into Adventureland. I passed Pixie Hollow and noticed there was nobody in there. I mean it! Not a single person other than one CM. I couldn’t believe it! I asked her who was in there and she confirmed that it was indeed Tinkerbell! I figured I may as well meet her, then!

After about 3 minutes, a CM came out and got me, and I got to meet Terence (though my picture came out blurry and I didn’t get the Photopass). Then I got to meet Tink in her winter outfit I guess.



I confess that I’ve not seen any of the Tinkerbell movies (I’ve seen Peter Pan though). Is that just her “winter” outfit, or is it a costume of some sort? I wouldn’t ask, but I was confused why she needed something warm when she works indoors. I probably thought about this way more than I needed to!

When I came out, I heard the first parade, so I decided to pop over and sing along a bit. The floats kept getting stuck and then there would be big gaps. I’m glad I didn’t stake out a spot! But it did worry me that they’d take stuff out of the second parade.

I noticed there was nobody at the dance party. If you want your kids (or yourself) to have some quality dancing time with the characters, go during the parade. Seriously, there were like 2 kids in there! And three characters, so lots of attention!



It was time to catch the villains show again, so I walked back over. I stood where I’d be first in line to meet Maleficent. While we waited, I chatted with a CM who had me cracking up. This was actually a fairly good spot to watch the show again!





I was first to meet Maleficent, and practiced my haughty pose


Hmmmm… need more practice!

Because I was finished so quickly, I was able to join another long line, so I popped over to see the Evil Queen (and work on my haughty pose).


Still need more practice!

I was in front of the castle, so I didn’t want to stray too far away and have to return for Hallowishes, so I took the time to get a few photos.







Then I staked out a spot and did some people watching. These days, women’s Halloween costumes are, well… There’s a trend to make everything sexy. So instead of normal costumes, what you mostly see are slu… sexy versions of everyday costumes. Like slu… err, sexy nurse, slu… sexy vampire, etc. This has caught on with Disney costumes. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this, but I also don’t think these are appropriate costumes to wear to MNSSHP, which is essentially a children’s party. And for the most part, the general public agrees. You will often see the sexy version of say, Alice in Wonderland, but the woman wearing it will have the sense to wear leggings or something underneath it to make it not slu… you know.

As I watched the guests and admired the costumes, I noticed a young woman wearing a Minnie Mouse costume. This particular costume could’ve been called a Mini Mouse dress. It was shorter than Minnie’s actual dress, which – well, I’ve seen Minnie’s bloomers more times than I’d like to think about. And she was also wearing stiletto heels (really? To walk around the MK?) and fishnet thigh highs. I know they were thigh highs because her dress was too short to cover the tops of them. She was drawing stares from a lot of guests.

I guess the good thing is she realized how skimpy her costume was. How do I know this? Because I watched her go up to a CM and ask a question. Actually, it went: Minnie Mouse walks up to CM, tugs down her dress. Dress comes approximately ½” down to properly cover her nether regions. Then CM answers Minnie Mouse’s question. Minnie again tugs down her dress, which has risen to a level coming dangerously close to exposing aforementioned nether regions. This brought me a ton of amusement, because she and her boyfriend/husband pushed their stroller (oh, did I forget to mention she was pushing a little girl in a stroller?) nearby and I got to watch her tug on her dress until the fireworks started. Good times.

I didn’t take her photo, so don’t ask. I did take a few photos during Hallowishes, which, as I said, is my favorite “special version” of Wishes.







Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

After the fireworks, I decided to visit the HM again. I used to wish that they would do the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay here the way they do out in Disneyland, but after really thinking about it, I so love riding the classic version of the HM on Halloween. It just fits better, I think. I was hoping to see the ghost outside as I had on my earlier visit, but she wasn’t there. I asked a CM if she’d be back later and she didn’t know.

I had a little time before the parade was due to start, and I’d done all the character meets I’d wanted to do (except the Seven Dwarfs and Captain Jack Sparrow, but both their lines were just crazy talk). BTMRR was nearby, so I did that. It’s so much fun and I can’t help giggling like a loon through the entire ride.

Then it was time to find a spot for the second parade. I found a good one and settled in. I got some photos, but I’m never happy with how my nighttime parade photos turn out. First, I can never decide whether I like the results better with flash or without. And when I choose one method, I usually end up wishing I’d done it the other way. Really, it’s just that it’s not a great subject to photograph using a point and shoot camera. But I did try!

The only downside of being at the beginning of the parade route is that the Headless Horseman hasn’t really built up to his highest speed. Of course, I still managed a blurry photo when he was going slower, so I shouldn’t complain.






























The Queen of Hearts is showing her bloomers wearing a long dress! I guess I don’t know what the heck I’m talking about!



At the end of the parade, which happily went off without a hitch, they give out candy. This was the first candy I’d gotten all night. I figured that was the only party-specific thing I still needed to take care of, so I spent the rest of the party visiting trick or treat stations.

But as I passed the Haunted Mansion, I noticed the ghost was out on the lawn, so I stopped to watch her for a bit.



I hit up treat stations in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, and then my bag was about half full. I figured that was enough candy (I end up giving it away anyway), so I figured I’d call it a night. It was like 11:45 by this point, so it wasn’t too much earlier than the actual end of the party. I got a few last pictures on the walk out.







I was thrilled to see that there wasn’t a bus pulling out just as I arrived! For once! One arrived about 5 minutes after I got in line, and before I knew it, I was back at the BW. Well, it was much slower than that, with maybe some other stops thrown in, but if I keep telling myself it was quick, maybe I’ll start to believe it.

I thought about how I wanted to get back to my room. I could take the short cut or the regular way through the lobby. The short cut was shorter (which, duh! “short” is right there in the name ), but it did involve climbing 3 flights of stairs. In the end, I figured I had enough energy for the stairs, so I took the short cut.

Before turning in, I took a photo of my candy. The candy they gave out this year was good. Lots of name brand stuff, lots of chocolate, and very little of that weird stuff they’ve had in the past. Not bad for like 30 minutes of trick-or-treating!



Up Next: Eating around WS with Heather and Brandon

[lexiemom]

It looks like you had a great time at the party! I just love all of your pictures. All of your pictures with the Villains came out great, I especially like the one with Dr. Facilier.

Lexi is really into the Tinkerbell movies right now, and the outfit Tink is wearing looks like the one from Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure which is set in the Fall, so maybe she is wearing it because its her Autumn look?

Oh, and thank you for the Truffle recipe! It looks so easy to make I am going to try those out at Christmas time this year.

[honeybee723]

All caught up! That chocolate seminar looked wonderfully chocolatey!!! Looks like you were really able to enjoy yourself at MNSSHP. I've still never been to this party, since Halloween isn't really my thing, but now that I have a child, I can see that changing in the futurel

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

These days, women’s Halloween costumes are, well… There’s a trend to make everything sexy. So instead of normal costumes, what you mostly see are slu… sexy versions of everyday costumes. Like slu… err, sexy nurse, slu… sexy vampire, etc.

I just had this same exact conversation with a friend of mine who was trying to find a costume of Wendy to wear with her family at MNSSHP. Wasn't possible because there was no innocent versions of the costume only slu ...sexy costumes.