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Friday Favorites #88

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Here we are, the first Friday of 2018. Yay! Welcome to Friday Favorites.

So, yesterday evening I attended a media event for the grand opening of a new restaurant at Disney Springs. The restaurant, called Maria and Enzos Ristorante, will serve upscale Sicilian Italian fare in a lake side setting. Mickey and Minnie were there to cut the ribbon and then we were invited in to sample some of the food.

Mickey Mouse Maria and Enzos Mickey Mouse Beauty and the Beets

Maria and Enzos Ristorante Disney Springs Beauty and the Beets

Some of the media favorites were the Arancini di Carne (rice balls with meat), the Prosciutto breadsticks, and the fried cheese.

Arancini di Carne Maria and Enzos Disney Springs Beauty and the Beets

Proscuitto breadstick Maria and Enzos Disney Springs Beauty and the Beets

We also sampled the desserts. The cannoli was popular as was the tiramisu.

Cannolis Maria and Enzos Disney Springs Beauty and the Beets

Tiramisu Maria and Enzos Disney Springs Beauty and the Beets

I loved the cheesecake pops. The chocolate and strawberry ones were unbelievably delicious.

Chocolate Cheesecake Pop Disney Springs Maria and Enzos Beauty and the Beets

Chocolate Cheesecake Pop MAria and Enzos Disney Springs Beauty and the Beets

We then were given a private tour of two other restaurants on the property – Enzo’s Tunnel Hideaway Bar and The Edison. Both look like fun places and I look forward to return when they open for lunch in a few weeks.

The Edison Disney Springs Beauty and the Beets

Disney Srpings The Edison Beauty and the Beets

After the media event, Mr. Beet and I headed over to the fourth new spot at Disney Springs. A pizza place called Pizza Ponte. We both liked it though the dining room was very small so I do not recommend heading there during peak times. However, my mushroom, tomato, and olive slice was delicious.

Pizza Ponte Disney Springs Beauty and the Beets

This month I have also been joining Lindsay from Pinch of Yum in the Sugar Free January Challenge. I have been making a lot of her recipes and doing really well. That is until I ate three cheesecake pops at the Disney event last night. Darn it.

But I have loved all the recipes from Pinch of Yum like soft scrambled eggs and golden soup.

POYSugarFreeJanuary Beauty and the Beets

We are also recovering from our epic holiday travel adventure- we drove from Orlando to northern Indiana for Christmas to visit Mr. Beet’s parents. We also took along the kittens, per the parental unit’s request. They are both very good travelers, and they both saw snow for the first time in their young little lives. I went out with Charlotte in the snow, well, on the screened in porch where the snow blew in a bit. See the paw prints?

Kitten paws in the snow Beauty and the Beets

However, Charlotte was not impressed with the cold weather and spent the rest of the trip in her beanie hat trying to stay warm.

Cat in a Hat Charlotte Beauty and the Beets

But we did have a white Christmas.

Charlotte snow Beauty and the Beets

Both Olive and Charlotte also enjoyed the stops at the hotel along our drive. We stayed at Red Roof Inns as they accommodate pets without an extra charge. The girls enjoyed exploring and finding new places to hide.

Olive Red Roof Inn Beauty and the Beets

Charlotte Red Roof Inn Beauty and the Beets

While we were in Nashville, we found two awesome restaurants. One was an all Vegetarian spot called The Wild Cow where I loved my Caesar salad and enjoyed a local kombucha.

The Wild Cow Nashville Beauty and the Beets

And we loved Biscuit Love, despite the long line outside, even in 20° weather. And though it was cold, I couldn’t resist a Southern sweet tea. But we both really loved the biscuit French toast with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote.

Sweet Tea Biscuit Love Nashville Beauty and the Beets

French Toast Biscuit Love Nashville Beauty and the Beets

So now it is nice to be home and back in the swing of things. And here I am in my fourth year of Friday Favorites- wow! (I am only on number 88 since I haven’t posted every Friday since I started) I do love these Friday Favorite posts and I love reading everyone else’s posts. You can find those posts here from the link ups with Andrea, Katie, and Heather. How is your 2018 going so far?

In case you missed it, I am starting a 7-day challenge series and I would love to have you join me- check out the post here –> Introducing the 7-day Challenge Series.

Beauty and the Beets The 7-day challenge series

And check out my recipe for Cashew Vegan French Toast from my Meatless Monday post.

Beauty and the Beets Cashew Vegan French Toast

Thank you for stopping by and see you next week!

Helen Corbin

Sunday 7th of January 2018

Love all the food pictures especially the cannoli but LOVE the Baby pictures the best!!!!!!!

Anna-Marie

Monday 8th of January 2018

Baby pictures are always the best!

Nicole

Friday 5th of January 2018

I've never had cheesecake pops, but they sure sound delicious! And your cat looks so hipster with a beanie on lol! Hope you have a great weekend!

Anna-Marie

Monday 8th of January 2018

Charlotte is pretty hip. She thinks she is a cat of New York.

Amanda

Friday 5th of January 2018

Hello! This is my first time stopping by your blog. Your kitties stole my heart! I love how they travel with you. Mine would be pissed if I took her from her room aka my bedroom. She thinks it's her permanent lair. Off to check out your 7 Day Challenge! Have a great weekend.

Anna-Marie

Monday 8th of January 2018

I think my girls are used to the travel now. But when we are home I don't dare remove them from their spot! Thank you for stopping by