Believe in the Magic Traci Diary

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  • What We Ate While in Disney – Disney Springs and Port Orleans

    I’ve been missing because work got crazy.  Then I got sick.  Finally we went on a long vacation – 10 days away.  My life was insane!

    Any who, I’m going to be sharing what we ate while in both Universal Studios Florida and while we were on the Walt Disney World property.  We actually visited the parks while at Universal.  While we were in Walt Disney World, we visited 10 different resorts and Disney Springs.

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    One of the places, we visited was Port Orleans – French Quarter.  I had heard about the beignets being sold there.  In fact, that is the only place that beignets are sold on property.  We took a ferry from Disney Springs over to Port Orleans.  It was almost like floating into a bayou.  So cool!

    The family love the beignets which are deep-fried pastries.  We dipped them in chicory chocolate sauce.  Yum!

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    After we were done with visiting Port Orleans, we visited Earl of Sandwich in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs.  Hubby got himself an Italian sandwich and potato wedges.  Since it was the day before Thanksgiving, I got myself a holiday Turkey sandwich.  The sandwich contained turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo.  It was delicious!

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    I also got this pasta salad.  I ended up not eating until dinner time.  It was delicious.
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    After our 2014 trip, we found out about the made to order Mickey head Rice Krispie treat.  The Imaginative One really wanted one so we allowed him to get one.  He had it dipped in chocolate and then topped with mini M&M’s and white chocolate drizzle.  I thought he would have some of the Rice Krispie treat left over for later.  He ended up eating the whole thing in about 10 to 15 minutes.

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    One of my favorite treats in Walt Disney World is their Mickey Ice Cream bar.  I know it’s just ice cream coated with chocolate.  However there is something magical about eating it when it is shaped like a Mickey head.

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    Hubby has loved poutine ever since we came home from Niagara Falls.  I knew there was a quick service counter that sold poutine in Disney Springs.  However, I did not know where it was located.  While we were in the Lego Store, I needed to go to the restroom so I went looking for the nearest restroom.  I ended up finding the quick service restaurant that sold poutine.  Boy was Hubby glad when I showed him the restaurant!

    On a side note, he had been wanting to get a soft pretzel but the line was ridiculous so he did not get one.  He was delighted that he ended up not getting that soft pretzel.

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    We went to see Moana while we were at Disney Springs.  Even though the majority of us did not eat anything during the movies, the Imaginative One had some popcorn.  I could not take a photo of his popcorn.

    After the movie, Hubby and I got gelato floats from Violi il Gelato.  I got a Topicale float with coconut gelato, pineapple sorbet, blood orange juice, pineapple, whipped cream, and cherries.  Yum!

    Hubby got a Creamsicle float with vanilla gelato, orange Sorbet, orange Soda, and whipped cream.

    They were expensive in my opinion.  Almost 10 dollars each so they were a special treat.

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    I had wanted to find a bakery called Sprinkles while we were there.  I finally found it and got myself a strawberry cupcake.  It was okay.  Not worth the hype in my opinion.  We have a great local cupcake shop that has spoiled me with their deliciousness.

    Afterwards we went back to our hotel room and ate dinner there.

    Join me later when I share what we ate in Universal and more of Disney.

  • Mom, What’s For Dinner? – Month of December 2016

    holidays

    Week of December 1 (2 meals)

    • Breakfast for dinner (bacon, eggs, hash browns)
    • Chicken Nuggets

    Week of December 5

    • Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole (Slow Cooker)
    • Fiesta Pork Chops, Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
    • Bubble Up Pizza in the slow cooker
    • Sausage, Mac and Cheese, Veggie
    • Crock pot Chicken
    • Spinach Tortellini Soup, Crusty Bread

    Week of December 12

    • Sausage 15 Bean Soup
    • Mississippi Beef Roast Sandwiches (Freezer and Slow Cooker)
    • Meatloaf Muffins from the freezer, Baked potatoes, Veggies
    • Slow Cooker Taco Casserole, Salad
    • Hash
    • Sunday Dinner

    Week of December 19 (Christmas week)

    • Hamburger Soup
    • Honey BBQ Chicken Wings, French Fries, veggies
    • Italian Chicken over spaghetti, veggies
    • Swiss Steak, mashed potatoes
    • Breakfast for Dinner
    • Christmas Dinner

    Week of December 26

    • Crock O Brats, Mashed potatoes
    • Maple praline chicken
    • Bubble Up Pizza in the slow cooker
    • Bacon Corn Chowder
    • Sandwich Night
    • New Year’s Day Dinner – Pork and Sauerkraut

    happy-eating

     

  • Pumpkin Pie Crescent Rolls (Secret Recipe Club)

    Today is my last posting for the Secret Recipe Club.  They are disbanding which is sad.  I’ve enjoyed checking out other blogs.

    This month I was selected to check out Ashley’s blog – Cheese Curds in Paradise.  I love the name of the blog.  Ashley lives in Wisconsin which is known for cheese.

    I noticed that Ashley creates menu plans for the week so she knows what is going to be for dinner each week.

    There was a couple of recipes that I wanted to try out like Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches, Bacon Pesto Spread, Pizza Muffins, and Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Seeds.

    I finally decided on pumpkin pie crescent rolls for this month’s recipe.  The Imaginative One loves pumpkin pie and crescent rolls.  I thought this would be a good way for him to have the best of both worlds.

    The Wee One loved the pumpkin pie crescent rolls.  As soon as I got them out of the oven, he was standing there waiting to try one.

    So far it’s been only the Wee One and I who have tried the pumpkin pie crescent rolls.  They are going to be served as the dessert for our weekly Sunday dinner.  (We didn’t have one last week because I was sick and my mother-in-law had the boys.)

    Pumpkin Pie Crescent Rolls

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
    • 1 c. canned pumpkin
    • 2 Tbsp. condensed milk
    • 1 tsp. flour
    • 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
    • 1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
    • 2 (8 oz.) packages of crescent rolls
    • 1/2 c. brown sugar

    Steps:

    1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, condensed milk, flour, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.  Mix until well combined.
    3. Unroll the crescent rolls.  Spread 1 & 1/2 Tbsp. of the pumpkin pie mixture over the crescent rolls.
    4. Roll the crescent rolls in the crescent shape.
    5. Place on the cooking sheet.
    6. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.
    7. Enjoy.

    For more reveals, click on the blue frog.

    happy-eating

     

  • More Freezer Meals (Day 27)

    Welcome to Day 27 of 31 Days of Slow Cooking.

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    Here are other recipes that can be made into freezer kits.  Please check out my previous blog post for other recipes that can be made into freezer kits.

    Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

    Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

    Pork and Sauerkraut

    Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    Crock pot Chicken fajita

    Easy BBQ Chicken

    Spanish Style Chicken Noodle Soup

    Bramble Beans

    Skyline Chili

    Crock Pot BBQ Ribs

    Beenie Weenies

    “Oniony” Pork Chops

    Balsamic Pot Roast

    Taco Soup

    Stuffed Pepper Soup

    happy-slow-cooking-1

  • Freezer Meals (Day 26)

    I am behind with the 31 Days of Slow Cooking.  Last week was crazy busy with parent teacher conferences on Monday and Wednesday nights.  I did not get home from work until almost 8:30 on those nights.  Then I had activities with the boys on Tuesday and Thursday evenings so I was gone on those nights.  Then my Hubby and I went on a weekend trip to Louisville, Kentucky so I was busy during the weekend.

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  • Three Bean Salad – Secret Recipe Club

    #Secret Recipe Club

    Every month, I’m assigned another blog to check out.  After checking out their blog, I’m to find a recipe to make, photograph, and then post. This month there are five Mondays.  On the fifth Monday, we have a special themed Secret Recipe Club.  This month’s theme is fall or even Thanksgiving dinner recipes.

    This month I’ve been assigned to Sid’s Sea Palm Cooking.  After exploring her blog, I decided on the Three Bean Salad.

    As a child, I remember having three bean salad for different potlucks or holiday meals.  So  I thought this would be a good salad for the Thanksgiving table.  

    It’s a frugal side dish because I found the cans of kidney beans and green beans at Aldi’s and the wax beans at Meijers.  Funny story when I was in Meijers, a college student stopped me so she could ask me what ingredients were needed for green bean casserole.  

    You could switch up the beans to your liking.  This recipe is a very forgiving recipe.

    This is also great for Thanksgiving because you can make it the day before so one less thing to get done on Thanksgiving Day.

    Sid’s recipe was originally made for 80 people so I adapted the amount of the dressing for a smaller amount.

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    Three Bean Salad

    Stars of the Recipe:

    Dressing:

    • 1 c. white wine vinegar
    • 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
    • 1/2 c. sugar
    • 1 Tbsp. celery seed
    • 1 Tbsp. ground mustard

    Salad:

    • 1 (15 oz) can of wax beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 (15 oz) can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 (15 oz) can of green beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1/2 green pepper, diced (optional)
    • 1/2 red onion, diced (optional)

    Steps:

    1. Combine the salad ingredients in a medium sized bowl.  Set aside.
    2. In a medium microwavable bowl, combine the dressing ingredients.
    3. Microwave the dressing ingredients in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes.
    4. Carefully remove from the microwave.
    5. Stir the dressing.
    6. Pour over the salad ingredients.
    7. Stir until combined.
    8. Allow to marinade for 2 hours to overnight.
    9. Enjoy!

    Other Recipes from Sid’s Sea Palm Cooking that interested me:

    For other recipes, please click on the blue frog.

    happy-eating

  • Peach Cobbler (Day 25)

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    Welcome to Day 25 of 31 Days of Slow Cooking.

    We are almost to the end of this series.

    Since Halloween is next Monday, I’m going to play This or That – Halloween version.

    Chocolate Candy or Fruity?

    I have always said since I was born near Hershey Park, I must have chocolate in my blood.

    Witches or Vampires?

    Witches, hands down – Especially if they are good witches.

    Trick or Treat?

    Treat – Yum!

    Halloween Party or Scary Movie?

    I dislike scary movies, so Halloween party would be preferred.

    Skeletons or Zombies?

    Skeletons

    Trick or Treat or Hand out candy?

    When the boys were younger, I would go trick or treating.  Now that they are older and go out on their own, I hand out glow sticks not candy.

    Hay Ride or Corn Maze?

    I seem to get so lost in corn mazes so I prefer hay rides.

    Scary Costume or Funny Costume?

    I like funny costumes.

    Pumpkin Seeds or Pumpkin Pie?

    I prefer pumpkin seeds.  The Imaginative One loves pumpkin pie more than pumpkin seeds.

    Bottle Feed a Baby Zombie or Walk Alone Through a Dark Forest?

    I wouldn’t want to do either of those two choices.  However, I would prefer to walk alone.

    Bats or Black Cats?

    Bats

    Pumpkin Spice or Hot Chocolate?

    I love pumpkin spice.

    Celebrate in your neighborhood or at the mall?

    We celebrate in my neighborhood.

    Peach Cobbler

    Stars of the Recipe:

    • 4 c. fresh or frozen peaches, sliced
    • ¼ c. sugar
    • 1 c. Bisquick or another baking mix
    • ½ c. sugar
    • 1 c. milk

    Steps:

    1. Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray.
    2. Place peaches in a slow cooker.
    3. Top with ¼ c. sugar.  Toss to coat.
    4. In a medium bowl, mix together the Bisquick, sugar, and milk.
    5. Pour over peaches.
    6. Cook on low or until cobbler is set.
    7. Enjoy with ice cream or  Whipped cream.

    Printable Recipe

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  • Lemon Bar (Day 24)

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    Welcome to Day 24 of 31 Days of Slow Cooking.

    Jump to recipe

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  • Corn Casserole (Day 23)

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    Welcome to Day 23 of 31 Days of Slow Cooking.

    Jump to recipe

    Yesterday we got early to finish the rest of the Donut trail.  We were successful this time.

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  • Cashew Chicken (Day 22)

    Welcome to Day 22 of 31 Days of Slow Cooking.

    Recipe

    Your pets least likable character trait.

    It’s thundering outside.  The rain is pouring.  Suddenly lightning lit up the sky.

    No one’s home but the dog.  He needs comfort from the scary storm outside.  So what does he do?

    Does he run and hide in the bedrooms of the family members?

    No, he decides to run through the doggy door into the backyard where it’s wet, loud, and dark and then bright when lightning lights up the sky.

    He goes to his secret hole in the fence that no one can find.to patch up.

    Then he runs to grandma’s house.

    Either he finds a little hole in the fence and runs into her backyard to her doggy dog.  He escapes the bad storm.

    Or he stands at the side door whimpering until someone lets him.

    Meanwhile, his owners get a call from grandma telling them their dog is at her house.

    This is one of our dog’s least likable traits.  We can’t believe that he doesn’t run and hide during thunderstorms.  Instead, he will run over to my mother-in-law’s house.

    When we leave for the day, we must check the weather before leaving.  If the weather calls for rain, the doggy door will be shut, so he doesn’t run to grandma’s house.

    It’s early in the morning.  People are trying to sleep.  All of a sudden you start to hear squawking coming from the living room. Or you hear “Nich-o-las,” “”Get off the Computer,” and “Beak Bump.”

    You can not sleep because the bird is insistent someone comes and pays attention to him.

    Then there is the mess all around the stand.  He thinks imaginary birds are sitting on the ground.  So he throws food at those imaginary birds.

    This is my son’s bird’s least likable trait.  He likes people to pay attention to him.  If they don’t, he will start squawking or talking up a storm until someone notices him.

    What is your pet(s)’s least likable traits?

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