Bling Bling

Disney Parks Blog JUST put this photo up...

If you didn't register for the Princess Half Marathon's newest challenge the Glass Slipper Challenge I'll let you know how well the shoe fits when I'm done *Wink* Seriously though! I have been waiting for the debut of these gorgeous pieces of jewelry as well as many of you! How beautiful!

Are you participating in the Princess Half Marathon Weekend?

Which event are you most excited for!?

Wordless Walt Disney World Wednesday - The Land

Taste Bud Tuesday - The Earl of Sandwich

Those who have been to the Earl of Sandwich know it needs to introduction. I know my best friends Samantha and Emilia feel the same way as I do.

Located in Downtown Disney is the Earl of Sandwich. It is exactly as you would guess it...full of sandwiches. But this isn't just a Subway or D'Angelo's though... No no no....The Earl of Sandwich has such a heavy name to carry that it must be better than average. And luckily for your taste buds...IT.IS. I'm not one for a meatfest on my sandwich so I like to make it simple.  My go-to slice of heaven is called the Caprese. It has mozzarella cheese, basil, tomatoes (I order mine without) and balsamic vinegrette. The sandwich is toasted in heated press and wrapped up with a seal describing it's contents.

The outside is crispy enough to give you a crunch but not so much you can't actually chew through it. I am in love with this sandwich so much that if my flight is later in the day I will try to make it to The Earl of Sandwich to get myself a sandwich for the flight home. I usually opt for kettle baked plain chips to go with my sandwich but they have a good variety for you to choose from. I don't usually have any of the sweets they offer but there are the options of brownies and cookies instead of chips if you go with the dining plan.

They even have the crest of the Earl of Sandwich on the walls. Look around while you are in there and you will see some interesting things on the walls.

Have you ever eaten here? What is your favorite sandwich?

MegLovin' Monday

This week I am MegLovin' on....

Lesley from A Runner's Shenanigans

Lesley is awesome for more that one reason. I love that she is a supporter of Running For Rescues as she signed up for the Run Your Tail Off Virtual I am sponsoring. She also is a HUGE Disney fan as well as an avid runner.

Truthfully I get so giddy when I find other runners who have the same things in common. Stop on by Lesley's blog and you'll definitely find a friend. :) 

(Source)

Pipes in the Valley

Those in Connecticut whether of Celtic descent or not look forward to Pipes in the Valley every year. Pipes in the Valley celebrates all things Celtic! 

It has taken me a little to embrace my Irish heritage. My mothers side of the family is Irish and my fathers side is Polish.

Ojciec

Matka

I mean look at us....I have always identified with my fathers side more because...I look just like him. At any family gathering we are the only blondes with blue eyes. hahaha. Even though I look like him I am told all the time my mannerisms are just like my mothers. In more recent years I have begun to really enjoy being half Irish and half Polish.

Okay, now that that tangent is done...if you'll follow me back to the original story. Pipes in the Valley. 

So two years ago when Ojciec said to me, "hey, I'm gunna pick you up in a little wanna go to Pipes in the Valley?" Without even knowing what that means I said "YES". I have such a blast with him whenever we go out that no matter where it is I will go. 

When we got there I was so blown away. The amount of people, the excitement, this event is done R-I-G-H-T.

We like to park on the other side of the bridge, it's easier to get out once you are ready to go home, plus this is the best view of the festival. Three years ago it was just him and me. Two years ago we decided to bring Kemmy Lou. This year we brought along Matka, RyRy, so now it is a whole family event <3

There are bands playing all day long on the main stage. Our favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Pipers. Cute huh! What a clever idea. They are probably the festival favorite as well. There is also a strong man competition aspect as well family activities held all day.

Riverfront Recapture is an effort to help bring events and people to the area. I love the idea but would love other events like Pipes in the Valley to happen here.

The drink tents are a crowd favorite. I get so excited for draft Strongbow. Strongbow is a hard cider and can also be found on tap at the Rose and Crown in the United Kingdom Pavilion of EPCOT. Whether or not you are a beer drinker I always recommend it to people. Old Burnside Brewing also is highlighted here, a local brewery out of East Hartford. My father loves their beer.

Is that a smile Kemmy Lou?!

Kemba LOVES this event because she is in love with people. She is so well behaved. I am constantly impressed by her demeanor.

This year Pipes and the Valley was the same day as the Hogsback Half Marathon. Even though I ate after running I was starving by the time I got to the event. I decided to go somewhat healthy and get the sweet potato chips and I also had my first corn dog. Unfortunately, I ate it too fast to actually take a photo, but I will say I am now head over heels in love with the idea and flavor of a corn dog. I can't believe that I have gone 26 years of life without having one. I am very excited that Downtown Disney will be getting a food truck featuring the famous Disneyland Corn Dog.

The saddest sight at any event....an almost empty glass of Strongbow.

Members of the Red Hot Chili Pipers heading to their cars.

I love this event and look forward to it all year. Now that my entire family goes I am even more excited for the next year.

Do you have an event like this near you?

Lucky 57

I have grown up at Disney like so many of you and have never dreamed as a child I would have the week like the one that I have had so far.

On a leap of faith I entered into the Disney Mom's Panel. I already voice my opinions about the best of Disney to my family and friends, I figured, who else could I help by having this position?!? Last Friday I received confirmation that I had made it to Round 2! Truthfully I felt like Nana when she was showered with Pixie Dust...

If I do not make it any further in this adventure I know that my answers were good enough that the panelists wanted to know more about me. I am so proud of myself for going out of my comfort zone and attempting this. I appreciate their time and I am impressed to know so many great women who also made it to Round 2 as well. Disney knows how to pick 'em!

Friday some major changes were made at work and came into play Monday. I am able to spend all of my time and energy in aquatics again and have a great coworker who has taken over health and wellness. I could not be happier.

Tuesday during the afternoon I made a trip down to the pool to speak to one of my guards. I kept getting notifications from Twitter but I was not paying attention to any of them as I had just gotten out of a meeting. I happened to read one that said #WineDineHalfMeetUp.  That was all I needed!

Like a bat out of hell I booked it out of the pool, up the stairs and through the fitness area to my office and sat down in my chair attempting to open my yahoo mail where I had already drafted an email 4 months ago...just for this moment! But wait...what the....NO INTERNET! The internet is less than reliable at work but what a time for it to go down! I ran to the front of the building and attempted to open my yahoo drafts folder on my phone...still taking too long....I think I didn't breathe once during the time I was waiting for the email to send. Sending Complete. Once I was able to sit down and of course the internet came back up I went to check my sent folder to visually confirm it had been sent. I couldn't find the email anywhere. When I looked on my phone again it showed 2 emails sent at the same time. WHAT! How is that even possible! (Luckily that ended up being a glitch and when I look now there is only 1 email shown being sent.)

I thought for sure that I would be disqualified and my hopes of being accepted into a meet up would be crushed...All of this within 5 minutes of the initial tweet. I went back to working and tried to not get upset, I had all but accepted that technology had ruined my life (dramatic much?)

I still wanted to wait until 5pm to see the list of attendees and see which of my BRF had made it in. 5pm came and went....5.15pm....5.30pm.....5.45pm. 5.48pm the tweet with a link to the Disney Parks Blog went up.

I began to scan hoping that by some stretch of Walt I would get in.... #5....#16.....#20.....#42 Nothing so far....#57. Meg Bonk.......

#57....Meg Bonk. That's me...that's my name! I didn't believe it. I started to laugh and then I started to cry, then I started to laugh harder because I was crying which made me then cry harder. I called Miguel to tell him and then called my mother and then I started to congratulate those who I would FINALLY get to meet thanks to this acceptance! 

To cap off this amazing day Miguel surprised me with brand new sneakers! Nike Air Max 2013's in Violet.

I don't use the word blessed often, or anyone that knows me will say ever, but that is truly how I feel. I am being given some phenomenal opportunities and from the bottom of my heart cannot remember the last time I was this happy. I cannot wait to see my best friend and spend time in the happiest place on earth with her. We will eat, drink, catch up, shop and run her very first half marathon together. I am so proud to be able to share that moment with her. I remember how much it meant to me.

12 Days!

Wordless Walt Disney World Wednesday - Boo To You Parade

Taste Bud Tuesday - Kona Cafe

The Polynesian is one of the gem's of the Walt Disney World Resorts. It has an old charm that has stayed current. I always remember my parents stopping on the monorail line to get Kona Coffee here and now that I am older, I appreciate the flavor as well. I cannot get enough of this atmosphere. Look at how gorgeous it is. 

Okay...enough of that. Now...on to food. Everyone know's about O'Hana and it's delicious food, but what is becoming as hard to get a reservation is the Kona Cafe inside the Poly. My cousin and I LOVE to eat here and I have fallen in love with the Kahuna Breakfast. My mouth is watering right now just looking at this photo.

Included are home fries, every other home fry...eat your heart out. These are the best I have ever tasted. They have seasoning like no other and are crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. Of course Disney famous scrambled eggs, some toast and the star of the show... *drum roll please* pancakes covered with warm pieces of pineapple with a scoop of macadamia nut butter. I opt to push the butter aside as I am not a macadamia fan but the warm pineapple is something I have never experienced on a breakfast platter.

That's all I have for the Kona Cafe...It is THAT good....

Have you eaten here before? What is your favorite dish?