Saturday 9

 

Saturday 9
Papa Loved Mama (1992) - Garth Brooks

 

 

1) This song is about a trucking "accident" that was covered extensively in the local paper. What's the big news story in your neighborhood?
 

Not exactly a big news story, but Nathan's former teacher did a birthday walk challenge this week, and I've followed that on Facebook. Nathan walked with him on several of his laps.

1/27/15

Nathan, Mr. C, & Kayla

2) The action centers around a motel. When is the last time you stayed in a hotel or motel?

Our last hotel stay was the weekend before Christmas. BUT, our next hotel stay will be Thursday night, on our upcoming vacation! :O)

3) In the song, Papa wants to surprise Mama with a bottle of wine. Do you prefer white or red?

I don't drink wine, but I love cooking with both!

4) This week's featured artist, Garth Brooks, has said that the late Chris LeDoux -- singer, sculptor and rodeo champion -- is his hero. If you had to single out someone this morning as your hero, who would it be?

I'm one of those fortunate kids. No, not money-wise (although I never lacked for anything), but fortunate in that I've been blessed with an amazing Mom and Dad. They have supported and loved me since the minute I came into the world, and have taught me so many valuable lessons. They have both been such an inspiration to me. I've learned, while raising my own children, how challenging being a parent can be, and I strive everyday to become half the role models they have been to me the past (almost) 50 years.


5) Before he was able to support himself as a singer, Brooks was a bouncer at a bar. Have you ever had an encounter with a bouncer (either that he threw you out or came to your aid)?

Nope

6) According to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), Garth surpassed The Beatles as the top selling artist of the last 25 years. Whose music do you listen to more -- Garth Brooks or the The Beatles?

Garth Brooks

7) While 1992 was a banner year for Garth Brooks, it was a bad one for another country legend, Willie Nelson. Willie ended up paying the IRS more than $9,000,000. When you file your taxes, will you qualify for a refund? Or will you owe money?

We'll owe.

8) When this song was popular in 1992, Sarah Ferguson, then the Duchess of York, was in all the papers and magazines for her controversial conduct -- including being photographed sunbathing topless with a man not her husband. Today no one seems to care much about what Sarah Ferguson does. Can you think of someone else whose fame was fleeting?

Nobody came to mind, except Tim Tebow. 

 9) This is Super Bowl weekend. Where will you be watching The Big Game?

Peter & I will watch it here. We are divided on the game, he's rooting for the Pats and me, the Seahawks. Actually, we neither one really care who wins, since our Super Bowl was the Packers not making it! :O) IMHO, the best two teams this year made it to the Super Bowl!

feeling very Jane Austen-y

Monday:

 movie night with friends.....

I would never have chosen Austenland, but so glad we watched it. It is so funny!!!


I don't think I have never read anything by Jane Austen (I know-gasp!), and I haven't even seen Pride & Prejudice, so I wasn't sure I'd like this movie, but I loved it!!



Austenland is a modern day spoof-type movie, but it made me want to read something by Austen, or at least watch the movies....I plan to take care of that soon!


Who is this Mr. Darcy everyone is talking about? :O)

Tuesday:

A snow day!

 ...and in lieu of our morning phone call, Mom and I had tea!

I'm not the big tea fan that Mom is, but I woke up yesterday with tea on my mind! I gave Mom a big gift basket of tea stuff for Christmas, including a canister of loose tea that I had never tried before. I am officially hooked! It was soooo good! I really like my special time with Mom! (Dad was there too, but I don't think he was into the china tea cup stuff like us...men really don't appreciate the whole ambiance concept at all). ;o)

I have been wanting to try scones and found several recipes on Pinterest that look yummy!

Raspberry Almond Scones


Glazed Orange Scones


Devonshire Cream Scones for an Authentic Cream Tea

Then, I got sidetracked and pinned lots of tea related stuff....

the cutest "Alice In Wnderland" tea pot!


a pink & gold tea cup <3

and this one!








Guess who's having tea instead of Diet Coke this morning?


Wednesday:

Even though I had heard rave reviews about Downton Abbey, it just didn't interest me. I've watched the occasional period piece, but it was never my first choice. I was looking for a series to watch this winter, so I went with DA. I borrowed the first few seasons from Wanda and started it last night. Guess who sat up wayyyyy too late last night finishing the entire first season?????

I'M HOOKED!!!!!

Why did I wait so long to watch????


Think of all the good things we miss out on when we won't try something new.

Wanda and I talk every January about getting together more during the year, and trying more, new, fun things! Of course, watching a movie isn't anything new, and neither is having tea or watching the seasons of a tv show, but all three of these were things I wouldn't normally choose. It made me realize how much I miss out on because I don't want to try new things. I almost always choose what is comfortable- it's time to step out of the box! :O)



While browsing through the tea related stuff on Pinterest, I came across something that might be our next fun get together!! :O) (And I know the perfect hostess!)





I'm looking forward to trying lots of new things in 2015!! Just think of all we miss out on if we don't!

snacking in disney...

One more Disney food post (because it's important). :O)


Along with the Dining Plan, you also get a snack credit per person x the number of days you are staying at the resort. Ours will be six each, as we are booked for six nights. Snack credits can be used one at a time or all at once. We usually do one per day (as we are already eating a TON of food). I have favorite snacks in a couple of the parks that I must get. Also, I try to make good use of my snack credit. I would not use a credit on say, a soda, which cost about $2.50,  when I could get a milk shake or smoothie that costs over $4.00. Here are some of my favorite snack choices in Disney....

my absolute favorite place to use snack credits:

 

the caramel shop in Germany (Epcot)

everything looks soooo good!

(and it smells amazing too)

 

 

 

they make the candy right there....

 

 

this caramel is d-e-l-i-s-h!

 

 

Another great choice, Kaki-Gori (shaved ice) in Japan (especially on a hot day!).

 

Then there are special holiday snacks....

a sugar cookie from the Grand Floridian at Christmastime....

 

or a Valentine's Day red velvet cupcake!!

 

Frozen Lemonade is good anytime...

 

 

I finally had a Carrot Cake cookie from the Writer's Shop (DHS) on one of my solo mornings!

 

 

The boys used most of their snack credits on milk shakes when we were there in 2010.

 

If you want to go the healthy route

you can always choose fresh fruit. I do this for breakfast a few times each trip.

 

A (ginormous) cinnamon bun for breakfast works too!

(with an iced mocha frappe'..also one credit)

 

I think this snack is the most popular...

 

I am not sure if I've ever eaten one in Disney....I must take care of that!

 

Peter's favorite snack (hands down) is a DOLE WHIP!!!!!

 

You can get these at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom.

Nathan chose the rootbeer float there on our last family trip (2012).

 

These are just a few of my favorite snack choices. I almost always have a few credits left over on check-out day....but don't worry, you can finish them off with Mickey Rice Krispy Treats to bring home from the resort food court or gift shop.

 

 

single digits!

I can't believe that we leave for Florida NEXT WEEK!!! I don't think I've ever been this excited to go to Disney...( but I think I say this every year)! I think we are going just in time too, as it looks like more winter weather is about to settle in. I love going this time of year, it seems we escape most of the snow /ice anyway. And the countdown always flies by....I get so busy preparing for the holidays, that February is here before I know it. :O)

With just 9 days until we start our long road trip, I have lots to do!

-travel folder/notebook

This is pretty much ready. I can do online check-in tomorrow. I made our mousekeeping envelopes, but need to put $$ in a few of them. Reservation numbers and times are confirmed. Fast Passes have been chosen. Magic bands and travel packet is already in my bag.

- packing

I have started to gather a few things that will get packed. Mom helped me clean the attic last week, so all summer items were found! I will start putting outfits together and pull aside everything I can. I'll get the suitcases out this weekend and start packing. Last year, I waited until the last minute (our house was in so much mess from the re-do), I promised myself I would never do that again, as I forgot a few things or felt like I had forgotten something the whole drive down! I used to be so organized, but with age, comes forgetfulness!

- get the house organized, finish projects, clean

I rarely leave for vacation without making sure we'll come back to a clean house!
This week, I'll get things organized, finish painting those kitchen chairs (finally??), and clean the house. I also have a hair appointment this week and a mani/pedi next Tuesday. I skipped the tanning bed this year, and know I'll probably be sorry when I get to sunny Florida and I pull out the capris & short sleeves! (and to think, I seriously considered going to the pool this year!). Probably won't pull the tags off my new bathing suit again this year either....(I bought it 4 years ago!!) :O)

- menu planning

I usually get creative with my meal planning right before we go on vacation. I try not to buy much and just eat out the freezer and whatever is in the pantry/fridge. This year is no different, I've come up with something for every day until we leave next Thursday.



Special Celebrations

Last year, we did our very first "special celebration" trip. We postponed our 2013 trip the year we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, so last year, when making reservations, we decided to add a celebration to our stay and got anniversary pins. We absolutely loved it! Even Peter, who doesn't care for all the fuss, humored me and went along with everything. It was a very special trip!

The only other celebration I've done, is when we took Nathan and his classmates on a Senior Trip in Dec. 2012. I didn't get any pins, but others in our group got 1st Visit pins and the Seniors got Special Celebration pins.

Long story short, I am thinking about celebrating my birthday while in Disney. I will turn 50 on March 20th.

I know it will be a little over a month away, but I think 50 is a big year and I think it's worth celebrating...don't you??

I haven't added it to our reservation yet, but thought about calling today. Peter thinks it's a great idea (especially since I'd be the only one wearing a pin this time)!

Fast Passes at Disney

Fast Passes

I love the new FP+ set up! I can't believe that on our very first family trip in '08, I knew little about getting FPs. I still remember Nathan's face as we stood in a VERY long stand-by at Space Mountain and watched those with FPs just walk on by!!
As soon as we got off that first ride, we ran over to the fast pass kiosk and got our very first FP! Imagine Nathan's cockiness as we walked quickly though the queue, passing those waiting in the "slow" line! We still talk about this...live & learn!

So now we have the luxury of choosing FPs before we ever leave home! I love that!

Here are our choices:

Magic Kingdom day #1

-Pirates of the Caribbean

 

-Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

 

-Splash MT.

I tried to get one for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train...but no luck today. We may do stand-by if not too long. I am very anxious to try as it wasn't open last February.


Magic Kingdom day #2

On our second day at MK later in the trip, we chose:

-Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

-Meet TINK
(I know- but I would like to do a meet & greet this trip with a character I've never met. I'm sure Peter will be thrilled-bless his heart).

Not sure if I can pull this off with Peter, but I'll try.
I found the perfect Tink costume while in Charlotte, too bad it didn't fit. LOL


-Seven Dwarfs Mine Train



Can't wait to ride for the first time!


Epcot day #1

- Spaceship Earth


-The Seas w/Nemo

-Soarin' (our favorite!!!)



Epcot day #2

-Soarin'
I only chose 1 FP, since we have limited park time on our second Epcot day.


Animal Kingdom

-Kilimanjaro Safari


-Festival of Lion King

(we missed this last year as it was relocating in the park- we are super excited to see our favorite show again).

 

 

-Dinosaur

 

 

I'll do Single Rider Line and skip the fast passes for Expedition Everest. I missed it last trip, so I'll have to make sure to ride at least once.

Hollywood Studios

-Toy Story Midway Mania



-Star Tours

(new to us. Peter is not too thrlled with fast or spinning rides...
and not sure what it does-hope he likes this ride).

-Tower of Terror 

(Peter will NOT do this one, and normally, I'm too chicken to ride alone.  
I'm feeling adventurous now, but I'll let you know how that goes!).

I didn't choose one for Rock n' Roller Coaster since I can do Single Rider Line and get on as many times as I want. I'll ride this alone---I love it!!!