When I think of the Canada Pavilion in Epcot I think of the lush gardens and of course Le Cellier. Since they have changed Le Cellier to a two credit signature restaurant we have not been there. We liked the restaurant as a one credit restaurant but always found it dark and crowded. We like a bit of space and privacy on some of our meals and this is definitely not that place for us.

The gardens for me have always been the centerpiece of the pavilion. I love all the lush greenery, the pond and the gorgeous flowers. We really spent more time in Canada than normal this trip because I was able to go up the ramp for handicap and stroller access. It was fairly steep at a couple points but I made it the whole way up!

The first level of Canada reminds me of an old…

After you cross the International Gateway Bridge from France you will see the United Kingdom Pavilion on your left. There is a lovely tea garden that looks like the front yards of little country houses. I love the garden. It is a nice spot to relax in because not everyone knows that it is there.  Unfortunately, I cannot find my picture of them!

Down the main street is The Toy Solider where you can find sweet toys for your children.

Depending on the time of day the gardens and streets in the UK can be almost deserted. We spent many hours in this area when my children were younger with them napping or running around to get some energy out before we headed into the next country of the World Showcase.

There are benches or stairs around the gardens to sit and relax and take in a musical show or…

For the best pastry? I am heading to Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in the France Pavilion. The bakery is tucked in at the back of the Pavilion through the gift shop. This pavilion always seems to be busy because of the Les’Artisans des Glaces and the Patisserie and the restaurants. This always is my favorite spot. It is around the side of the pavilion closest to the International Gateway. They are doing some construction over here but even then it was still quiet. We were able to find a nice shady spot on this super hot day and relax for a bit while the rest of the world hurried by us.

If you are looking for a busy place this is where you head to. Lots of people mingling and shopping in this area. People are resting around the fountain and flowers. Once in awhile Belle and or Beast may even…

We headed from Japan to Morocco around the World Showcase. Everyone asks what is your favorite country in Epcot? They each are a favorite for different reasons. If it is pastry? France is my favorite. If it is for quiet lush outdoor space? Japan is my favorite. Morocco is my favorite for quick service food. I love the different items that are there and the outdoor seating area. If you look you can usually find a quiet spot somewhere in Morocco.

The details in this pavilion are amazing. I remember reading back when this area opened that they brought in people from Morocco to help build and design this pavilion. Since the pavilion has religious significance too during the evening light show it is not lit out of respect for the religious aspects of the pavilion. Also, another cool thing was that they believe nothing is perfect so there is…

Disney Foodie Friday

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens on August 29th! This is one of my favorite special events at Walt Disney World. My family loves all the little tastings booths and I love that many of them are one snack credit.

Here is an updated list of the Eat to the Beat concerts at the American Pavilion:

Plain White T’s
August 29 through 31

Sawyer Brown – NEW!
September 1 through 2

MercyMe
September 3 through 4

Grace Kelly – NEW!
September 5 through 6

Zach Williams – NEW!
September 7 through 8

Lauren Daigle – NEW!
September 9 through 10

Jimmie Allen – NEW!
September 11 through 12

Tiffany
September 13 through 15

Smash Mouth
September 16 through 17

Everclear
September 18 through 19

STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
September 20 through 22

Postmodern Jukebox
September 23 through 24

Blue October
September 25 through 26

Mark Wills

If seems as though the only thing happening in Walt Disney World is the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge but Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opened on August 29th and runs until November 23rd! That’s 87 delicious days of Festival-exclusive edibles and entertainment, such as a Candy Sushi-making experience, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt, the rockin’ Eat to the Beat Concert Series and Disney du Jour Dance Party.

The Food & Wine Festival is set to thrill foodies at more than 30 global marketplaces, filled with eats like the warm raclette Swiss cheese debuting at The Alps Global Marketplace, a brand-new location for this year’s event. Guests can follow their nose to the jerk-spiced chicken grilled on site for all to savor at the Islands of the Caribbean Global Marketplace. And get ready for a taste of autumn at the Appleseed Orchard Global Marketplace near Le…

One of my most asked questions I receive is how to gain followers on your blog. I know so many bloggers find it extremely hard to gain followers on their blogs compared to social media platforms. Here are some of my tips to gain followers on WordPress!

L’une des questions les plus posées que je reçois est de savoir comment gagner des followers sur votre blog. Je sais que tant de blogueurs ont beaucoup de mal à attirer des adeptes sur leurs blogs par rapport aux plateformes de médias sociaux. Voici quelques-uns de mes conseils pour gagner des adeptes sur WordPress!

Related: How to Boost Traffic Without Publishing Blog Posts

POST CONSISTENTLY

I’m pretty sure you heard me say this a hundred times but consistency is the key! Once you start to publish blog posts regularly, you’ll start to gain followers gradually. Even if you post once a week, make…

My youngest called from college, distressed about boy #1 talking to boy #2 on her behalf. She did not approve. She believes that any young man worth dating in the future would need to personally get to know her – through her.

The conversation progressed into fully analyzing the words boy #1 used to describe her to boy #2. She disagreed with one of the adjectives.

My daughter’s voice elevated. “Am I like that? What does that even mean?” She thought it may have a negative connotation which in her case, would be impossible. No, I’m not just wearing Mom-goggles. That child was the easy teenager…her siblings view her as annoyingly good.

I tried to make a joke because gosh, it was all positive and she was just being a 20-yr. old. But, she wasn’t having it. After all, she really does like boy #2 and was highly concerned about…

As part of the Trinity College expedition in Dublin, we walked through the highly impressive Long Room. While I thoroughly enjoyed the first edition books that I told you about at the castle (HERE), this was a vast college and beyond what I could have imagined as a book lover. There are many invaluable elements contained within this extraordinary room, and countless busts of famous writers and philosophers are located throughout the Old Library building. Everyone from Aristotle, Homer, Isaac Newton, Plato and Shakespeare greet you while perusing the titles at a distance.Originally built in the 1700’s, this library is classified as “one of the most impressive libraries in the world”. Just walking through it made me feel smarter😄! I also felt compelled to read many more books per year, start a book club, discuss the great writers with my peers…but, alas, we eventually had to fly…

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Be Our Guest: Jersey Hot Dogs! Ask anyone how they prefer a hot dog and you’re bound to get a multitude of answers. Some prefer ketchup and onions, others insist on mustard and pickle relish. When grilling or roasting you hear everything from “barely warm” to “charred and crispy”. And then there’s New Jersey where the technique has been practiced for over a century. Maybe you know the secret: crispy potato chunks, sweet red peppers, and grilled onions. Overload the bun and slather on the mustard. Pay attention. You’ve just entered the Hot Dog Zone of America!

JERSEY HOT DOGS

Ingredients:

3 new potatoes, cut into chunks

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

1 sweet red pepper, cut into strips

1 Vidalia onion, sliced

1/2 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning

4 Angus beef hot dogs

4 hot dog buns

Deli Mustard to taste

Salt and pepper to taste