WDW Favorites

You never know what you may find here!  My blog is nothing if not eclectic!  It could be a recipe, a Longaberger experience, a new book, some poetry, etc.  But today it's...DISNEY!!!

All who know me know how much I love WDW.  I can never get enough of it.  So in those long days when I am not there, I find lots of ways to enjoy WDW through my friends.    Sometimes we are lucky enough to get together in person.  Sometimes we meet and talk on our online sites.  But most of the time I just go to my favorites and head to the best Disney sites.  Here are some of my favorite places.  I hope that you find some that are perfect for you, too.

AllEars
www.allears.net
Are you looking for all things Disney?  Park information, resorts, dining and so many others?  Then AllEars.net is the place to go.  Under the direction and guidance of Deb Wills and Deb Martin-Koma this site is not to be missed.  Updated constantly, you will find information on all parks, resorts and everything else related to WDW and Disneyland.  And the blogs are extremely well done, written by true Disney lovers.

WDWToday
www.wdwtoday.com
I love listening to WDWToday anytime and anywhere.  This has always been my favorite podcast for many reasons.  Number one, I know and trust and respect the people who are the WDWToday podcast.  You cannot find four more dedicated and talented individuals anywhere.   Matt Hochberg, Mike Newell, Mike Scopa and Len Testa know most of the answers to anything WDW related or can find the answer very quickly.  And the occasional co-hosts are welcome additions, too.  If you want the best in WDW info updated three times a week, listen to WDWToday.  And join us for the monthly live show on the last Sundays of the months, too.

WDWRadio
www.wdwradio.com
Now, if you have lots of time available, you might want to listen to this weekly podcast by Lou Mongello.  Now, be forewarned that you will need a larger chunk of time to listen, but it will be well worth it.  Lou is a one man walking encyclopedia of Disney knowledge.  In addition to his weekly podcast, his site is a wonderful place to spend time.  And chances are very high that, if you are walking through Walt Disney World Resort for any amount of time, you will probably find Lou in his favorite place!

TouringPlans
www.touringplans.com
I frequent Touring Plans in three ways.  I visit the online site, I read my Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and I use my Touring Plans app on my phone.  Yes!  I check wait times and crowd numbers even when I'm sitting at home dreaming of Disney!  Touring Plans is extremely helpful in planning your days at the parks by using extensive research and data to create their Crowd Calendars and their individual Touring Plans.  There are many plans for many different ways of touring the parks, depending on how much time you wish to spend, which parks you want to visit and even who will be touring.  But, if that's not enough, you can even design your own touring plan.  Be sure to check Touring Plans out before you plan your next trip!

DIS Boards
www.disboards.com
The "DIS Boards" were the first Disney type Internet site I discovered many years ago.  And from there, I made friends and found other great places.  I still stop in from time to time to look for specific information.  It is organized with message boards where you can choose what your interests are.  It's still a great place to find out about current and upcoming discount offers coming from Disney.

Passporter
www.passporter.com
This is a beautifully constructed and organized site headed by Jennifer and Dave Marx.  Many of you may be familiar with the very handy Passporter books.  Jennifer and Dave have many Passporter books addressing various Disney travel interests, including Walt Disney World, WDW Special Celebrations and Disney Cruises, just to name a few.  Many articles are posted each week. 

A Salute to Disney Communites of Friends...but mostly Tagrel!
www.tagrel.com
There are many Internet communities out there with many members.  Some of my friends are DISers.  Some are part of Lou's Box People at WDWRadio.  Some meet together on the Passporter boards.  Some are found at Studios Central.com.  Others frequent Be Our Guest.  But, in my opinion, Tagrel is the best "community".  I love it!  It is my family!  It is the work of Dave Card and some very wonderful administrators and moderators.  Tagrel is full of Disney people, Disney information, Disney photos and Disney love!   And the best trip reports can be found there!  Sometimes, when I think of Tagrel I think of the old TV show Cheers.  It is "where everybody knows your name" and they're always glad you came!  If you are looking for more Disney friends, there are lots of great places!

The Relocated Tourist
www.therelocatedtourist.com
I have just recently discovered a wonderful person named Amy Falk Peterman.  I had heard of her through some of my friends, but never started following her love of Disney and her adventures until a few months ago.  Amy now shares what it's like to pick up a family and to move closer to "the Mouse".  She shares her experiences about the move and about now living so close to WDW.  Check her out!

So Much More
I could go on, but for now I'll just leave you with a couple more sites that I love.  I hope that you find some that you enjoy as much as I do!

Mouseworld Radio
Enjoying the Magic
Babycakes
Disney Daddy
Mouse Fan Travel
Studios Central
Disney Food Blog
MousePlanet
Diznee Momma
We Wants the Redhead

Pineapple Upside Down Cakes in Longaberger® Dessert Bowls!

As fellow consultants make their way to BEE 2012, I was looking through some recipes that I have saved that use our Longaberger products.  I love Pineapple Upside Down Cake and this recipe is a neat way to make little ones.  If you don't have the retired dessert bowls, there are other pieces of our pottery that would work, too.  I'd try the soup/salad bowls, to start with.  They'd be bigger but just as pretty and tasty.

Here you go!

1 box of yellow or pineapple cake mix
2 cans of pineapple ring slices (drain, saving juice as your water)
Maraschino Cherries drained
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350^oF.

Spray dessert bowls with non stick cooking spray and place on baking sheet. (I got about 11 or 12 Longaberger dessert bowls per recipe)

Mix boxed yellow or pineapple cake mix according to direction except substitute the water with pineapple juice. Set aside

Melt butter over heat in sauce pan & add brown sugar. Cook until well blended about 2 minutes
Place 1 heaping tablespoon in the bottom of each Longaberger dessert bowl. Any remaining brown sugar mix can be divided amongst the dessert bowls.
Place one pineapple ring in each Longaberger Dessert Bowl and press down lightly, place one maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring pressing down into the brown sugar mixture!

Place a heaping 1/4 cup of the cake batter on top of each pineapple ring. Making sure the pineapple ring is completely covered.  Place any extra mix evenly amongst all the dessert bowls. Bowls should be about ½” from the top rim.

Place the Longaberger® Dessert Bowls on a baking sheet in the oven and bake at 350 for about 30 - 35 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes then with an oven mitt or wash rag folded carefully turn over all the dessert bowls onto a Longaberger® Cake Plate or each cake onto a Longaberger® Bread Plate.
If you turn over all the dishes, allowing each one to set about a minute, the mini cakes will come out easily. They are almost too pretty to eat!
Serve Warm or Cold!
Enjoy!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

This is a very easy and delicious recipe for broccoli soup that I found years ago in Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  Just like some other great recipes, they've never shown up again in any issue or cookbook.  Enjoy!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

1 ½ C. chicken broth
½ C. chopped onion
2 C. broccoli cuts
½ t. dried thyme, crushed
1 small bay leaf
Dash of garlic powder
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
½ t. salt
Few dashes of white pepper
1 C. milk


In saucepan, combine chicken broth, onion, broccoli, thyme, bay leaf and garlic powder. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes or till broccoli is tender. Remove bay leaf. Place the rest of the mixture in blender or food processor. Cover and blend 30-60 seconds or till smooth. *

In same saucepan, melt butter. Blend in flour, salt and white pepper. Add the milk all at once. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Stir in the vegetable puree. Cook till heated through.

Yield 3 ½ cups

*Since I first used this recipe I have bought one of the immersion blenders and prefer that to the blender or the food processor. It makes cleanup much easier.

Sandy's Spritz

In keeping with the eclectic feel of my blog - and my life - here is my favorite Spritz recipe.  It's from the old Betty Crocker Cookbook that my mom got when she was married.  It's a rich cookie, but oh so good!

Sandy’s Spritz

1 Cup soft butter
2/3 Cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ½ Cups flour


Mix together the butter, sugar, egg yolks and vanilla. Add the flour gradually, working in with hands.
If dough is too soft, cover and refrigerate until firm enough to form cookies, 30 to 45 minutes. Place dough in cookie press. Form desired shapes 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. Bake at 400 F for about 7-10 minutes.
Yield: approximately 6 dozen

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving has always been one of those times of the year that I have enjoyed. The fact that it has always meant family and the start of the holiday season plays a big part. As a young child we always had Thanksgiving at my maternal grandparents’ and Christmas at my paternal grandparents’. I found a photo this summer while cleaning out my parents’ house of what must have been my first Thanksgiving. That meant there were only three of the seven cousins in the pictures – a 2 year old, a 1 year old and a 3 month old. And we were all dressed up. That’s the way we used to do things. As we became older Thanksgiving moved to my parents’ house. Special foods and special plates and dishes always came out on Thanksgiving.

What am I thankful for? I have asked that question of children every year as a teacher and have received many kinds of answers. But for me, there are many things for which to give thanks. I am thankful for family and friends who have impacted my life. I am thankful to have been born at the time I was and to have experienced so many things – both good and bad - that others have not. I remember black and white TV and The Mickey Mouse Club and where I was a few days before Thanksgiving on November 22, 1963. All of those people and experiences are part of who I am today.

I’m also thankful for the traditions and the foods that have been shared by parents and grandparents. We may not need “the” turkey platter or “the” gravy boat this year, but they are here to remind us of Thanksgivings when we were all together. And the same good food will be served – the turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and gravy, the creamed onions and green bean casserole and the stuffed celery and the cranberries, and homemade pumpkin pie for those who like that (I’ll make my cookies for me!).

All in all, I am thankful for the traditions which have been passed down in love from one generation to another. It doesn’t matter who will be there on Thanksgiving Day. Our Thanksgiving will be the smallest we’ve ever had. It matters that we remember and give thanks for all that it means to each of us. When I sit down on Thanksgiving Day, I will give thanks for those special people who will be looking down and smiling and I will remember with love.



World Card Making Day 2011

It's time to be a little bit crafty today.  To join in the fun, visit Scrapping the Magic for some great fun, challenges, projects, chat, etc.

Here are some of my cards:

 

Enjoying the Magic

There's magic all around!  And a new site to visit!  It's called Enjoying the Magic and it is the sister/brother/sibling site of Scrapping the Magic.  Come and visit us for all kinds of fun!