Month: December 2020

Disney Christmas – lite

by ginnyinshanghai

Why Disney Christmas – lite?  There are so many, many more bloggers that concentrate on Disney exclusively,  I didn’t want to even try to compete with that.  My Disney Christmas highlights the Park that I work inside and (great) photos my sister shared during their recent visit.  Those primarily were at the Magic Kingdom – what everyone thinks of when you say ‘I went to Disney World!’.  🙂 

I’m starting with ‘my’ Park – Epcot and our Christmas trees.  Yes, plural.  We have two:  first one encountered marks the transition between Future World and World Showcase.  At the top is a blue angel – which didn’t photograph well for me. BUT, it is a very colorful tree.

Our second tree is in the American Adventure pavilion, with a patriotic theme.

Most of the pavilions and Merchandise shops have outside and inside holiday decorations, lots of garlands, ribbon and bulbs.  We also use nature to help tell the holiday story.

This hanging basket caught me eye – yes, that is grass growing underneath the plants in the hanging basket.

One morning I couldn’t resist taking photos of these ornaments in the France pavilion when no one was around.

We also have Mickey and Minnie in their blue holiday attire.

Occasionally Kris Kringle can be seen at Epcot.

Going over to Magic Kingdom, the Mickey floral bed greets the guests in holiday colors right in front of the Train Station.

My sister got some f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. photos at Magic Kingdom of their holiday parade. Mickey and Minnie changed their costumes while in the Kingdom

Santa paid a visit to Magic Kingdom after parading around Epcot.

Can’t forget the reindeer.

She captured a shot of Magic Kingdom’s Christmas tree………………

……….and I really loved this shot with the toy soldier and the castle in the background.

But I totally loved her night-time photos of the Magic Kingdom castle. I haven’t always been a fan of projections on the castle, but these won me over.

Our decorations at home are much more simple. A garland around the front doorway and a small display on the side.

This was Eric’s project last year and they fared well enough for this year’s display.

Our tree we’ve had to cat-proof, either with using non-breakable ornaments or clamp clips for those I dared to put on the tree.

The Grinch has always been my favorite Christmas movie and he’s recently seen a surge in popularity. This is my favorite Christmas quote

A friend shared advice he’s given to his younger leaders. Christmas isn’t about a specific date or a specific time, its those moments that are special to you.

Ginny Merry Christmas

2020 S.G.I. chapter 6

by ginnyinshanghai

Our last days in the Panhandle had a few repeats from earlier in the week. They may be favorite spots that never fail to deliver or something new we discovered on this trip. Regardless, they deserved one more stop before leaving the panhandle.

My new favorite eating spot was Indian Pass Raw Bar. We were there before it opened at the end of the week and yes we started with the fish dip.

Followed by 2 dozen raw oysters. No fancy serving platter, just oysters on plastic food trays.

I had to ‘decorate’ my oyster with a few toppings – horseradish and cocktail sauce.

And just to prove I was eating them………..

This was also the place that had the honor system for your drinks and you checked off what you drank, then gave the ticket to the cashier when paying your bill before leaving.

I was much better this time at pouring my own beer.

This was also the place with the a.m.a.z.i.n.g key lime pie. We got 2 pieces to share between us (and I could have still licked the plate) when done.

Next up Scipio Creek Half Bar. This time we saw outside in their open-air bar – loved it. It will be my spot of choice for future visits. Doesn’t Adrienne look excited for another photo.

Naturally the meal began with two dozen raw oysters………..

Followed by seafood dinners.

L. Ginny’s grilled mullet and onion rings. R. Eric’s fried oysters and collard greens.

Our last morning was an early stop at Hole In The Wall. Knowing it would be busy on a weekend, we were waiting outside before others arrived. It definitely got crowded before the doors were open and we were glad we arrived 15 minutes early. Yes, Eric, you were right.

Fish dish and oysters always start the meal.

More seafood selections followed.

L. Ginny’s grouper fingers. R. Eric’s fried shrimp.

One last visit to Oyster City Brewing Company.

We didn’t let Eric totally off the hook for meals at our rental. One night we had peel & eat shrimp and shrimp cocktail, with oysters – of course.

Another evening we had grilled grouper and shrimp. But sometime, you get a craving for meat – steak.

One fabulous meal was shrimp bisque, great for a cool evening.

My all-time favorite Eric recipe is gumbo.

Our last home-cooked meal on the island was the remaining grouper filets, fresh tomatoes and broccolini – who knew you could find that in Apalachicola.

So this post was waaaaaay late, but I wanted to finish it since it was sitting in my ‘drafts’. Believe it or not, one last post from St. George Island. What better way to end, than at the beach. Coming soon – I promise.

Ginny