A Mountain Mama Goes to the Movies

They say you can take the girl out of the mountains, but you can't take the mountains out of the girl...or something like that, you know how it goes.  It's Friday night, a brand new Disney movie is out.  It's time for a girls night at the movies!

In Virginia, especially on a night as warm and beautiful as it was on March 8 in Boca Raton, it was normal for us to end up at the local Drive-in.  That's right.  We still had one of those in Virginie.  Pick up trucks backed in with camping chairs in the bed, picnic blankets laid out with fare from the car hop diner next door, kids running around barefoot.  These nights were some of the best we had with friends, family and flicks!

At the Drive-In

Movie night in Boca was painted just a smidgeon differently.


First, we made reservations.  No, I didn't just buy tickets ahead in expectation of a sold out opening night...I reserved our specific seats...like on an airplane.  In first class.  Then we got there early.  I didn't quite know what I was getting myself into.  When we pulled up to the ipic, in Mizner Park, we were greeted by a young valet.  We handed over the keys, happy not to have to find parking.  I do believe that was the first time I ever used valet at the movies.  Quite different from the drive-in.  I didn't know I could go to the movies without self-parking on the grass.

As we entered the building, we were immediately impressed with the decor at Tanzy, the restaurant in the first level at the ipic.  It had this twisty, branch cave thing.  It was an instant kid magnet and something I'd love to have in my yard.  We didn't stop there, rumor had it we could get food (including Gluten Free Food) upstairs.

Upstairs....

I don't know how they do it, but somehow they make a run-of-the-mill escalator ride seem like you're traveling to someplace exotic and exciting.  Maybe it depends on the movie.  Or maybe it really is exotic and exciting up there.  The mood lighting is set, there is a full bar and swanky seating.  The menu is mouth-watering.  Flatbreads, salads, sandwiches...and yes, even popcorn.  A note to my Gluten Free readers: Yes, the popcorn here is safe!  This place has reset the bar where movie dates are concerned.  The Regal will no longer cut it, I'm afraid.  Sorry, Honey.

Exotic Escalator

Waiting on the movie

Bar

Grilled cheese with bacon

Satay Chicken (Gluten free version)

Drink shakers, $15

Inside the theatre it looks more like a tripped out home theatre instead of a public one.  Each seat is big, posh and has a table top for all your goodies.  There are two tiers of seats.  The Premium are in the first couple rows.  Behind them sits the really lush seats...Premium Plus.  These recline, have pillows, blankets and a wait staff.  Hence the plus.  I'm not sure this a good deal though.   If I reclined with my pillow and blanket after the server brought me a drink drink...I'd be snoring in the ipic.  Who's a mountain Mama?

Even the bathroom is swankified

It was an experience for sure.  I enjoyed it thoroughly.  It could never take the place of my beloved Drive-in, but, in the end, it doesn't have to.  They are different experiences and each make their own respective towns special.

I'm kinda looking forward to going back, though…

Update: November 19, 2013

I have been back.  I've even tried the Premium Plus seats Twice.  Yeah, I went there.  I am happy to report that I did NOT fall asleep, but remained terribly comfortable the entire movie.  I haven't gotten too crazy in my food choices, given my allergies, but everyone has been extremely helpful in making sure I did not leave my movie going experience blown up like a Blueberry (yes, that was a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory reference for those paying attention).


XO, Ami

Meeting Doctors Too Soon

Homemade Chicken Soup, recipe below

Well, its been an interesting couple of weeks over here.  I guess you could say we are making ourselves at home.  You know, doing all those things that assure you are well established in a community such as visiting parks, malls, artistic venues...doctors offices.

My oh-so-graceful daughter loves gymnastics.  Loves it!  She was very involved in Virginia and could not wait to get into a class in Boca.  We joined Twisters.  This homeschooled child was hopeful she would gain skills as well as new friends!  Class number one, she felt shy and no one talked to her.  Class number two, she stepped down into a trampoline she didn't notice in the floor and WHAMO!  Broke her foot.

To the pediatrician we went!  Boca Pediatrics was quick to get her in and quick to send her for an x-ray.  I do enjoy Doctor Gardener.  She is kind, knowledgable and has a good disposition for dealing with kids (and parents for that matter).  On to West Boca Diagnostics...once again, they were friendly and warm and got the job done.  These two appointments took up most of the day, so our appointment with the Pediatric Orthopedist had to wait until morning.  I did appreciate that we would get to see a pediatric doctor...we only had regular orthopedists in our small town in Blacksburg.  We were sent to Doctor Danko with Kid's Choice Orthopedics.  She was knowledgeable and personable.  We got in and out... plus one extra left boot.

As if that wasn't enough, I came down with the plague.  No really, this stuff would have surely killed off a 3rd of London in the 1300's.  It proceeded to move through my family.  Two weeks later and we're still coughing and needing too much sleep...but the fever is gone and my voice is back- Alleluia!  In this time we ventured back to Boca Pediatrics.  They recommended allergy meds and cough syrup.  Yeah, I could have guessed that on my own.  We saw Doctor Levy once, who was jovial... and Doctor Armada who was brusque, snippy and in general, unpleasant.  We won't be seeing her again.  So upon returning back home, I did my normal thing and turned to cold fighting foods such as garlic, ginger, lemon and Manuka Honey with Ceylon Cinnamon.  My husband even made my homemade chicken  soup!  I would love to find a good Holistic Doctor in the area.

There is something about being pulled through the ringer that really makes you feel a part of your surroundings. {Insert eye roll...despite it being true} It's nitty and gritty and causes you to adapt.  I guess we are that much closer to home!  The gymnastics class has now been traded for a Class at the Boca Museum of Art and I am happy to say that the teacher is sweet and so are the classmates!

So lovely to have gotten our tour of Doctor's offices over with so we can now focus on fun things and good restaurants!


Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup to cure what ails ya!

In a big pot, preferably with a colander pot inside like this:

Place 2 lbs of bone-in chicken wings with skin and cover with water.

Simmer for a few hours.

In the mean time, chop vegetables such as carrots, celery, onion, peppers, etc as well as some parsley, rosemary and thyme.  Or if you want to go spicier (opens your sinuses) then use cilantro, chilies and cumin powder.  Of course sea salt and pepper.

When the chicken is fully cooked and starting to fall off the bone, remove the colander pot and allow the chicken to cool enough to handle.

Place the vegetables, spices, a few Bay leaves and one cup of rice into the pot.  Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cover.

During this time, skin and debone the chicken and tear into bite size hunks.

When the rice and veggies are tender, remove the Bay Leaves and add the chicken back in.

Adjust the spices to taste.

Serve over chunks of avocado if you wish!


XO, Ami