countdown to Disney World!

We've been anticipating our trip to Disney World for this WHOLE YEAR! The kids thought we were going in November or December, but after getting a GREAT DEAL we surprised them and went in September!

To make the waiting more fun, and get us all revved up to go I made this cute Disney World Countdown. I patterned it after this one I found on Pinterest. I think it turned out pretty cute.

 

 Inside each link, was at least 1 activity for the day. Some were questions, crafts, or games.  Here's a look at some of the links.

 

To keep my sanity, I wrote the day on each link, I took a picture of all the links and made a note so I'd know when we were doing what so I could have the necessary supplies ready. That was a GREAT IDEA and I was very glad I did.

I wrapped the Countdown in a box in 3 layers of wrapping paper and let each kiddo unwrap 1 layer. Then we opened it up together. I must admit I was a little disappointed with the reaction, but it was mostly because the boys didn't understand. Once Alivia realized we had moved up our trip to September then we got a great reaction from her, and that was awesome!

I know the kids, and even us grown-ups were excited to pull off the link for the next day. We all were getting excited.

 Here's a list of our countdown activities (in no particular order; many of them came from "A Little Tipsy"):

Sing your favorite Disney song

Make MickeyMousse for dessert

Make Disney characters out of playdoh

Make Mickey pancakes

Make Mickey Oreos

Find the hidden mickeys around the house for a prize

Play Disneygames on the computer

Which 3 characters do you most want to meet?

Name 3 rides you are most excited for.

Disney movie night

Color a Disney picture for your bedroom door.

Write a letter to your favorite Disney character.

Make Mickeynecklace

Hop around the house like Tigger.

What’s your favorite Disney movie?

Count your souvenir money

Play MickeyMemory Game

Play MickeyYahtzee

Make Disneyt-shirts

Play Red Light, Green Light with Disney songs

Read a Disney story

Play DisneyScene-it

Pack your bags! We leave tomorrow!

Here's a trip down memory lane of our last trip to Disney World.

Mickey Mousse

One of our Disney World Countdown activities was to "Make Mickey Mousse." I found this Pinterest idea on Craftin' in the Rain.

Photo courtesy of Craftin' in the Rain

She uses this yummy & simple recipe from Our Best Bites, then makes her own Mickey Ears out of milk chocolate melting chocolate.

Mickey Mousse

Mousse recipe from Our Best Bites "Chocolate Mousse Crunch Cake"

Ingredients:

1 tsp. unflavored gelatin

1 Tbsp. cold water

2 Tbsp. boiling water (just heat it in a small bowl in your microwave)

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 c. whipping cream

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine gelatin and cold water and allow to stand for about 1 minute. While gelatin is softening, bring 2 Tbsp. water to a boil in the microwave. Whisk into the softened gelatin and allow to cool slightly.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder, whipping cream, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until medium-stiff peaks form. Mix in gelatin mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Chocolate Mickey Ears 

from Craftin' in the Rain 

Ingredients:

1 package melting milk chocolate

Directions:

1. To make the Mickeys, melt chocolate wafers in the microwave at half power then spoon into a plastic bag.  Snip a tiny hole in one corner and squeeze the chocolate Mickey shapes.  To keep them consistent, I printed some images off my computer and put the wax paper over the top so I could see through.  

2. I did the 2 ear circles, the head circle, and then just zig-zaggy lines to fill them in. 

3. Wait until they're completely cooled before trying to peel them off the paper.  And always make extras in case they break!  I would love to see these on top of cup cakes too :)  Top mousse with whipped cream and a chocolate Mickey.

Mickey Oreos

As part of our prepping for Disney World, we made these Mickey Oreos as a family one night. My inspiration came from A Little Tipsy. Super easy and definitely NOT professional looking, but nonetheless yummy.

Mickey Oreos

Ingredients:
1 package of Oreos
1 package of red melting chocolate (found mine @ Michael's)
1 package of melting milk chocolate
1 package of yellow or white COOKIE decorating frosting (found in the baking aisle @ the grocery store)

Directions:

1. Put a piece of waxed paper or parchment paper on 2 cookie sheets.
2. Pour red melting chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl and follow directions on package. (Something like- heat for 30 seconds @ 50% and stir; continue warming in 30 second increments until smooth. Mine took about 1 1/2 minutes total).
3. Dip half of your oreo into melted red chocolate. Lay on prepared cookie sheet. Continue with all other oreos. 
4. Once your oreos are all half dipped you should be able to handle them to glue the ears (melting milk chocolate pieces) on with a dab of the cookie frosting. Add dots to red pants to finish off your Mickey Oreos. 
5. Chill until set and enjoy!

what's cookin'?

August has been a busy month with our trip to the Beach and school starting back up! Here's a bit of what's been cooking in our kitchen.

Crockpot Mac & Cheese

Caramel-Chocolate Squares

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Savory Herb Dip

{new & improved} Cafe Rio Chicken

Cafe Rio Pork

Cilantro Ranch Dressing

Green Chile Rice

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Priest Lake Lasagne

Garlic Butter Spread

Chocolate Chipper Champs

Special Potatoes

Chocolate Chip Cheese Bars

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Roasted Salmon with Fennel & Red Onion

Bacon & Egg Breakfast Empanadas

{new & improved} Cafe Rio Chicken

After trying my old Cafe Rio Chicken recipe, I decided it was not the one for me, so I set out to find a new version and I have been SO VERY PLEASED with this one! Thank you to The Crafted Sparrow for sharing it with me. It's super simple and SO delicious!

Ingredients:

The original source for this recipe can be found HERE at Mandy's Recipe Box, I decided to increase my spice levels a bit from the original recipe.

- 2lbs Chicken Breast or Chicken Thighs 

- 1 Packet Ranch Dressing Mix (mixed with 1/2 cup water)

- 1 Cup Kraft Tuscan House Italian Dressing 

  (the original recipe called for regular zesty Italian, but I prefer the one I used...so you pick what you'd like)

- 1 Tbs Minced Garlic 

- 1 Tbs Chili Powder

- 1/2 Tbs Ground Cumin

Directions:

1. Place all your ingredients in a crockpot (best part of cooking this). 
2. Cook on high 5-6 hours or on low for 8 hours.  I prefer to cook it on low, but when you use chicken thighs instead of breasts your chicken will be tender and moist either way.  
3. When chicken is done use two forks to shred the chicken and let it sit a bit in those yummy juices

• You can use this recipe for nachos, tacos, salads, enchiladas, quesadillas, so many choices!
• It's also great for freezing, so if you make lots of meals for new moms or a quick dinner idea make a double or triple batch like I did and it's ready to go when you need it.

info about the state & county parks

Our state & county parks have given us some great summer adventures. You can re-visit our adventures on the park below-

Summer Reading & Park Program
Apollo Park & Indian Steps Museum
Lewis State Park, Spring Valley Park, & Raab Park
Kain County Park, Native Lands County Park, Kid's Kingdom, Codorus State Park, & Spoutwood Farm Center
Trolley Line, & Rail Trail
Codorus State Park, Nixon County Park, Zion's View Park, & Rudy County Park
Pinchot Park
Agricultural & Industrial Museum of York
Rocky Ridge Park


I'm documenting these sites (below) so they're easy to find for our future reference. Feel free to poke around and pick your next adventure!

Pennsylvania State Parks
York County Parks

reese's chewy chocolate cookies

I'm not sure HOW it is I haven't posted this recipe. It is an old favorite and is finally making it's debut to my blog. Enjoy this tried & true favorite!

Reese's Chewy Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/4 cups (2-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; set aside.

2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in peanut butter chips. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 8 to 9 minutes. (Do not overbake; cookies will be soft. They will puff while baking and flatten while cooling.) Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. 

 

Yield: about 3 dozen cookies.

 

*If you use your MUFFIN SCOOPER and make MONSTER cookies you'll need to bake them for 12+ minutes. This technique SAVES you from coming back for another cookie, because this ONE is a double dose!

 

PAN RECIPE: Spread batter in greased 15-1/2x10-1/2x1-inch jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350°F 20 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack; cut into bars. About 4 dozen bars.

 

ICE CREAM SANDWICHES: Prepare CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIES as directed; cool. Press small scoop of vanilla ice cream between flat sides of cookies. Wrap and freeze.