Branson, Missouri has a lot to offer but I never thought that a Cooking School would be one of them. Sure, I've thought of going to Branson for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. They do after all have panoramic vistas, terrific sightseeing packages and a wide variety of activities are offered. But cooking school? Who knew!
On the weekend on October 16th and 17th, the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel will be hosting the a premier Cooking School Weekend. Guests will first be welcomed with a wine tasting reception then they will participate in a cooking demonstration by the hotel's own, Chef Nathan Read where he will prepare appetizers that are served at wine tastings. Guests will also be treated to a deluxe four-course dinner with wine pairings. The perfect weekend for anyone who loves food!
This Cooking School Weekend, which includes accommodations at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, costs only $398 for two people for two nights. That's an awesome deal! Considering there are also other activities and attractions around Branson that you can take advantage of. Branson is home to championship golf courses, lakes, museums and live entertainment theaters. You know, Branson has been called the new home of country music outside of Nashville!
If food and cooking is not your thing, check out the list of other packages offered by the Hilton Branson. They have packages such as: The Moon River, Silver Dollar City, and Romance.
We have been talking of taking the kids for an Orlando vacation for a long time. You know, take a week and visit all the amusement parks at the same time. But then we start thinking of the logistics of getting that accomplished and we change our minds real quick. So now we're more of the mind set that maybe we ought to drag it out by taking in the parks one per year.
We're thinking maybe start out with Mardi Gras at the Universal Studios Orlando.
Discount Universal Tickets is surely a step in the right direction towards having a fun vacation. Universal Islands of Adventure has some of the best roller coasters in the country which is just perfect when you have teenagers who are wild for coasters like I do. They are also big Dr. Seuss fans so I know that a stop at Seuss landing will be on the itinerary, probably in between the wild coaster rides. At Islands Adventure, paleontology buffs can also get their thrills at Jurassic Park River Adventure where they can go on an unforgettable river raft ride.
At the Universal Studios Park, it's all about the movies. We can re-live the movie experience by visiting attractions such as Shrek in 4D, Men in Black, The Simpsons, the E.T. Adventure, and much more. While the kids are soaking up the adventures, I think my husband and I would rather spend our time celebrating Mardi Gras. You heard me, celebrate Mardi Gras at the Universal Studios Orlando by catching one of the fabulous concerts on their line up of amazing entertainers. Lined up, for the Mardi Gras music at Universal are names like: MC Hammer, Kelly Clarkson, Trace Adkins, Nelly and more.
The best deal to be had, if you're planning on visiting Universal Studios Orlando is to get the unlimited park admission to two parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The ticket is good for seven days, so you can take your time exploring both parks and won't feel like you have to see everything in one day.
What do pies, prizes, the Hilton and Al Roker have in common? Why Branson Missouri of course! I'm surprised you didn't see the connection right away ;)
The Great American Pie Contest is going to be at the Hilton Hotel in Branson, MO on April 24-25. The event, sponsored by Taste of Home magazine, will feature Al Roker, the indomitable foodie and weather man of the Today Show. If you have a favorite pie recipe hibernating in the recesses of your hope chest, this is the time to dust it off and head on to Branson. The winner of the Great American Pie Contest will win, among other prizes, $2,500 cash and a trip for two to Branson, MO.
So are you a skeptic like me and the first thought to pop in your head was, "What's in Branson, Missouri?" I haven't been there, see, but hearing about Branson being the new seat of country music piqued my interest and found out that Branson also has championship golf courses, lakes, museums, theme parks and 49 live entertainment theaters. It sounds like Branson has something for everyone in the family.
Check out all that Branson has to offer. Besides the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel where the Great American Pie Contest is being held, other Hilton properties, the Hilton Promenade and the Branson Landing offer a variety in choices of accommodations in town.
If you're seriously considering entering the contest, start making your plans now. A block rooms have been reserved from April 20, 2009 until April 29, 2009 especially for attendees of the contest. If you're interested in going, you have until March 22 to reserve your room. Don't wait until the last minute though, they are on a first come first served basis.
I realized yesterday that it's been almost a month since I posted a new recipe. A couple of people have emailed to ask whether I was on vacation. I wish I was! I could certainly used it but unfortunately, it was just a vacation from food blogging while I took care of other things. Now, hopefully I can get back to our regular programming.
Having weather in the 80's like today though, keeps me thinking of being on vacation and makes it very hard to hunker down indoors with the computer.
I would love to be in the water right now. Even better, in the water and swimming with dolphins! That would be an awesome experience that I would like us, as a family, experience. We all love being in the water and this would be the ultimate water adventure, to be able to get up close and personal with these adorable creatures.
There are several venues to take on this adventure. Resorts in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific offer this experience to their guests. I have friends who got married in Hawaii and they said one of the highlights of their honeymoon was being able to swim with dolphins.
Cancun is another big destination for swimming with dolphins. Just check out the list of Cancun tours and activities on DolphinDiscovery.com.
Besides swimming with dolphins, the island of Isla Mujeres is one of the most beautiful with its gorgeous beaches and blue waters. Perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and other water activities. There is also Garrafón Park which is a park showing off the ecology and rich natural environment of the tropical island.
Then.... I wake up and I'm still in front of the computer. Darn! I want to be swimming with dolphins out in the sun and warm waters!
Most people, when they think of vacation homes tend to think of sunny locales with white sand beaches and temperate clime year round. Others though, require more variety to hold their interest. What could be better than Vermont vacation homes for those who look for the change in seasons?
The seasons aren't the only draw in Vermont. Vermont's Quechee Lakes is one of the many growing communities that are geared for people who are looking to obtain a second residence. The Quechee Lakes community is composed of both single family homes and luxury townhomes nestled in the beautiful Ottauquechee River Valley where recreation and adventure amidst breathtaking views is part of the lifestyle. The winter scene, which Vermont is most famous for, offers the best in winter sports but during milder weather the activity does not stop; there is a world class golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, fitness center, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding and lake front access to keep you busy and entertained.
Best of all, for families with children, the Quechee Lakes community is very kid friendly and has activities to keep them occupied in any season. The Quechee Club, where every homeowner becomes a member automatically, offers activities geared specifically for children and teens like ski and swim instruction, junior tennis and golf, a swim team, supervised activities, family adventure trips and field trips.
Start dreaming, check out their website and imagine the possibilities!
Every year just around this time, the girls and I start dreaming of a white Christmas. For the twelve years that we have been here in North Carolina, we haven't experienced a White Christmas yet. We've had snow and we've had ice, but never on Christmas day. Most times the sun is out and shining on Christmas day.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a nice family winter vacation? It would be a dream come true to be able to go somewhere to spend Christmas and be surrounded by a winter wonderland. Not counting the change in scenery, it would be nice to do something different for a change. I don't even think we would mind being away from family just this once.
Green Mountain Inn in Vermont's historic Stowe Village would be just the ideal place for such a getaway. If Vermont skiing is on your list to experience, then there is no better place than this resort to start from. They offer every amenities you can think of (restaurants, specialty shops, a year-round heated outdoor pool, game room, afternoon tea and cookies, fully equipped health club)and there are plenty of things to do if skiing is not your thing to do such as: walking, biking, rollerblading, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and the great American past time, shopping!
The Ski Vermont experience is not something to be missed though. Whether you're a novice or an expert, you've just got to hit the slopes to get your money's worth. If you've never gone skiing before, this may be the perfect place to learn. Believe me, you'll love it!
Christy Sports carry every winter gear you can think of from snow skis, Burton snowboards, clothing, snow boots and other accessories. Based in Colorado, Christy Sports does not cater to other sports other than skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing and mountain biking. This is their specialty so you know that what winter gear you get from them will be of excellent quality. Their staff, because of their specialized line, are all knowledgeable and professional and are ready to assist you in whatever you need. They have a number of locations in the Rocky Mountains, but if you can't get there, you can get the same service and quality products online.
Well for anyone who wishes to retire in Vegas, there are plenty to choose from Las Vegas High Rise Condos to luxury homes with amenities that you will find nowhere else. It's amazing when you drive through some of the neighborhoods. You forget you're in the middle of the desert. Many of the celebrities who perform in Vegas have homes there and they are mansions. They have their very own Beverly Hills right there complete with gated communities and private country clubs.
Luxury Homes In Las Vegas don't just belong to the stars though. Many of the new developments are quite affordable especially compared to the exorbitant real estate prices in California. My mom for one has been looking at small two bedroom bungalows that is more suited for a retired person. It doesn't have too many rooms and the yards are manageable. At the same time, the interiors are as luxurious as any that you'd find in Las Vegas. All of them are outfitted with the latest technology and appliances.
Keep in mind though that when you're looking for homes anywhere, having the right real estate agent to guide you is very important. They have insights to gems that you may not have even thought of.
Morey's Piers owns the largest amusement park operation in New Jersey, running three amusement piers and two waterparks in Wildwoods. My girls are wild about water parks and Wildwoods has two of them! Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club and Raging Waters both offer a variety of rides, slides and amenities to please everyone in the family from the youngest to the oldest. And what kid doesn't enjoy amusement parks. They have three of them! What could be better than a roller coaster by the beach. I for one am happy enough with the carousels and bumper cars. Whatever type of amusement ride excites you, they have them in Wildwoods.
Visit the Morey's Piers website now to take advantage of their weekly specials offered. They also offer a listing of wildwood hotels motels nearby. Don't put off that one last fun in the sun, visit the website now and make your reservation.
You've heard me rave in wonder about last summer's vacation in Las Vegas, I'm sure. If you're now intrigued at how much family fun one can have in Vegas, now have a chance to Win a free trip to Wynn Las Vegas with PerfectEscapes.com!
To enter the sweepstakes, all you have to do is visit the Perfect Escapes website and register just by simply signing up with an email address. No long forms to fill out. When you register, you will also be subscribed to the Perfect 10 Newsletter and you can receive notice on their exclusive hotel deals. Now time is running out, so you need to get over there and sign up right away. You only have until June 30th to register.
If you win, your Las Vegas vacation will include: a 3-night stay at the Wynn Las Vegas, dinner at the SW Steakhouse at the Wynn ($400 dining credit), 2 tickets to Le Reve, $400 credit for spa or shopping, and an airport limo service at arrival & departure. I could use a weekend of shopping and eating, how about you? I'm really excited about that SW Steakhouse dinner more than the spa or shopping!
Happy New Year!!
First off, I'd like to apologize to anyone who tried to leave comments while we were away (I hope there were a few :-)). I had switched to the new blogger in December and realized too late that the commenting system somehow got messed up and were not accepting or saving any comments. My super talented template designer, Chas, has fixed the problem, however, and now we are back in business. Thanks, Chas!
We are back from vacation, and are now sorting through over a thousand photos. Here's a few of the meals offered to us from the numerous homes of friends and relatives who graciously received us in their homes and presented us with the best meals that we didn't even have time to try out any restaurants.
I had been dreaming of this for a long time. Thanks to my La Union relatives, my craving has been sated...for a while.
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| From Agoo |
So with all these meals, and this is just a sampling of them, is it any wonder that I came back home with tight fitting clothes? :-D I'm not complaining, mind you. I enjoyed every calorie ingested.
Thanks to all our hosts!
Oh, and you'd think our eating days were over when we left the Philippines? Not so! Sister O and Sister S treated us to another sumptuous meal in Los Angeles' Chinatown too!
Jade is presently on summer vacation, but the girl has not stopped cooking. She has been dazzling her grandma and aunts with her cooking. She has even put her Auntie O's brand new kitchen to good use, making this scrumptious looking pizza for her and her cousins.
Before & After Baking
I'm not really sure what she has on the pizza, I'll let her write her recipe down whenever she gets a chance.
