Golf & relaxing in the sun Feb/March 2012

[bargainqueen]

I haven't written a trip report for sometime but I thought that some of our experiences may be of interest to others.

Last year husband wasn't impressed that I'd booked tickets for March as the golf is dearer then. He met a couple from Michagan and played with them most days. As they are snow-birds he was keen to go around the same time. We had Virgin Miles to spend so had to go with the dates offered. Luckily he can also pick and choose when he works so we booked a 3 week trip. His golf buddies at Kissimmee golf course got him a special deal and he played golf 19 days for less than he would have paid for 10. Don't know if all courses are offering discounts but his buddies also paid 1/2 of what they paid for a block booking for 3 months.

The weather was very kind to us and my sister and I spent our mornings shopping and the afternoons lazing around the pool.

We were disappointed to find that Bells Clearance had closed down from the Osceolla Mall on 192. The main store has now moved to The Loop where Belks used to be.

Near to the end of our shopping days we found that a new shopping centre has been opened opposite Kissimmee Oaks golf course. It's where the Publix used to be on Hoagland Blvd and OBT. At the moment it has Bells Outlet and a Deals. Both stores are fresh and modern, the Bells especially, it doesn't feel so cramped like the one on Marker 13. I always used to call it Bealls as the bell in the centre looks like an A. Soon a Ross will open there so anyone who likes to find a bargain should head there.

Bells Outlet has a one card and if you are over 50 then you get 15% of your purchases on a Monday and 15% for under 50's on a Friday. At Ross they have a Tuesday club for over 55's on a Tuesday.

Last year we ate in the villa quite a bit. This year we bought a Crock Pot or slow cooker from Walmart for $15. Best money we have ever spent. The meals were superb and we recommend the America's Favourit Pot Roast, beef stew (2) and Classic Marinara Sauce. All these recipes can be found on www.crockpot.com

We got most of our meat from Winn Dixie. When you go in apply for their card and you get discounts on meat and other things on special that week. Walmart has opened grocery stores they are labled green instead of blue. We found that cucumbers were selling for 25c there whilst in the normal stores they were 72. These are the Pepinos, small ridge cucumbers they sell in Spain.

Talking of Spain I found that the staff in most Walmarts were more interested in talking to each other than serving or helping customers. I'm used to Spainish ways as we own a property there but even I found it annoying.

Most of the other ingredients for our recipes we found in Dollartree, herbs, spices and beef broth. So much cheaper than Walmart, Publix etc.

The 3 of us ate well, including 4 meals out for $900.

Hope this information helps those who are new to Florida.

I'm off now to research where I can find Italian Sausage in UK for the Classic Marinara Sauce

I hope this reads ok as the curser keeps disappearing of the page and I'm not sure where I'm typing, perhaps the threads too long and I should have broken it up.

[SDJ]

Thank you for doing a trip report. It reads very well!!

[Lizb]

Thank you for the tips.

We have a crock pot at the villa which has never been used, I will have to try it out on my next visit.

[Lyn]

A crock pot is one thing we haven't got but may just have to get one on our next visit as we almost always eat in.

[bargainqueen]

I was amazed at the results as so little liquid goes in, perhaps that's where I go wrong here in UK. Most recipe's are a complete meal so would be ideal to leave on the low setting for when you return home.

I'm going to try our favourites here especially the beef stew as it's so simple, no preparation other than the veg.

Our last visit to Winn Dixie the beef joints were bogof's. No good for us as we were going home on Tuesday but the assistant suggested as it was rump she could cut one of the joints into steaks. Very nice they were too with a small bag of chunky chips from the Dollar Tree and a bag of Sweet Potato fries for us girlies. Two meals for $13.50.

[Susan J]

Crock pots are great over there- I have one and just throw meat or chicken, veg, stock and potato in, and come home to a nourishing stew ready to eat when you are tired-I get fed up of eating out, when we go for a long time, and just fancy something nourishing and tasty!
I've been known to make a hot pot, in the slow cooker, and throw some yorkshire puds into the oven, to span out with unexpected guests- in 100degree heat
In England I regularly use mine but one thing I have recently tried is a Ham joint- spread cranberry sauce, or mustard over the top, add 1 tablespoon of water, and cook on low for a few hours until you think it is done, makes gorgeous ham sandwiches that melt in your mouth.

[Newhomebuyer]

I like the crockpot idea and had never thought of getting one for the villa as we usually just use the BBQ . I think I might be inspired to get one next time we are out there.
The ham joint sounds just the thing for some of my family.

[Andrena]

We bought one several years ago and have found it invaluable. When we arrive I usually make a big pot of bolognaise sauce and freeze it. Then some stews and put those in the freezer too. Then the family are told that it they want food it is in the freezer and I get out of cooking. We also use it when we are there ourselves so that something is ready when we get home, like others we find it gets boring eating out all the time.

Andrena

[bargainqueen]

The pot roast is a little fiddly to do as you have to seal the meat and coat it in flour but it's worth the effort. We cooked ours on high as we were in the villa in the afternoon. Kept checking it and it looked gross as the meat was pale with bit's of flour stuck to it in places. First one we tried we turned the meat over but the other two times we left it, gradually an aroma told us it was cooking and once it bubbled up to the top we turned it down to low.
I should imagine it would cook just as well on low for 10/12 hours. At the end you have enough gravy for the meal and it's not watery at all. A complete meal so just what you need after a long day in parks.

Have found that Waitrose sell italian sausages so will be trying the Clasic Marianara Sauce here too. We're going to try the Pot Roast here using Brisket.