Preparations for New Year’s Eve at Epcot are well under way!
Here are some pictures that I took around World Showcase today….
Ringing in 2011 in Epcot
About this time last year…
So as I am sitting here panicking about the fact that Christmas is two days away and I am NO WHERE near ready (yes, we are a Menorah and Tree family), my thoughts flashed to where I was a year ago.
We were in Virginia, it was cold, and I felt like there was something that was missing from my life.
While a lot of my friends have given me a lot of crud about moving to “Disney World”, what they don’t realize is that I moved for something more than Mickey…I moved to follow a dream.
Now I know it may sound Hokie (after all I am a proud Hokie! Go Tech!), but what was missing was a quality of life. While Richmond was nice, safe, and full of friends and family I had known most of my life, I never felt the happiness that I did while I was in the sun in Florida. Long gone are the days of “What do you want to do?” meh, because we are always meeting new friends and finding our way in a new town.
It hasn’t been a smooth move, but it is one that I wouldn’t trade for all of the world!!!!!
As some dear friends have reached the 5 month point before their move (You can read all about the Petermann Family at the www.therelocatedtourist.com), I can only hope that if it really is your dream to be here that you find the courage to make it happen…and when you do I’ll be here to share a ride or laugh with you!!!
Follow us for more updates: Wordless Wednesday – Mickey Loves Foosball
Lots of traffic near Celebration…
This was the scene over I-4 near the Mickey Power Tower this morning….
Follow us for more updates: Celebration’s Farmer’s Market
One thing that I am discovering about living in Celebration, is that there is never a lack of things to do!!!
Every Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm, Market Street in downtown Celebration is closed off for a Farmer’s Market that is amazing!!! There are a wide variety of vendors offering fresh vegetables, baked goods, floral arrangements, crafts, and many other items!
We love walking down every Sunday for the market after breakfast!!!
[slideshow]
Follow us for more updates:
Wordless Wednesday – I’m Dreaming of a Chocolate Christmas at the Swan
Who you callin’ Babycakes???
The landscape of the Downtown Disney Marketplace just got a whole lot sweeter with the addition of Babycakes NYC!
Refined sugar-free? Gluten free? Wheat-free? Soy-free? Casein-free? Egg-free? Vegan? And it’s good?
No.
It is absolutely amazing!!!
I have to admit that I was more than worried as I stared at my red velvet cupcake, but I have to tell you as a girl who has never lived above the Mason-Dixon line that this cupcake would give any other red velvet cake a run for its money!!! It was super moist, and the frosting was so sweet, creamy and wonderful!!!
Worried about food colorings? Don’t be! They use natural food dyes in their frostings and cakes.
Babycakes NYC, which is located in the same building as Fresh A-Peel and Pollo Campero, offers a wide variety of cupcakes, doughnuts, cookies, cookie sandwiches (which look absolutely amazing), and other seasonal sweets. Although, my favorite is the frosting shot!!! 🙂
Also, this Friday, December 10th, from 1 to 2 pm there will be a cookbook signing and little sweet pack giveaway for people who stop by!
This has really started a conversation in our family about finding other healthy food alternatives. Seriously, if they can make a cupcake taste this good, then what do we have to fear?
Here are a few pictures I took during my outing…
Follow us for more updates: Wordless Wednesday – Happy Hanukkah from Celebration
Precious Moments Doll Kiosk at EPCOT
There is a new Precious Moments doll kiosk set up in EPCOT which is located right outside of The American Adventure in World Showcase.
(Can you tell that I have shopping on the brain???)
While I have seen the little figurines before, I have never seen the dolls in person! They are sooo cute!!!
The individual dolls are $40 each (except for Ariel in her shell which is $36), and come in their “normal” outfits and in “Enchanted” outfits that are more festive for the holidays.
Tiana, Snow White, Mary Poppins, and Peter Pan where my favorites!!!!
Also available are two sets of dolls. The first is a holiday set of a girl and boy doll wearing Ear Hats with a Christmas tree that comes in a red satin Mickey shaped box for $75. But there is a green velvet shaped box reading “2nd Star to the Right” that contains Peter, Wendy, and Tink dolls, also $75, that stole my heart!!!
I was a little worried about finding doll stands for them, but the kiosk has the individual doll stands for $4.
I’m not sure which one of these (and if it will be only one) that I’ll get for Zoe, but I can’t wait to go back and take another look to decide!
Follow us for more updates:
It IS a Small World After All…
On my first visit to the Walt Disney World, my father rushed us hurriedly down Main Street to his favorite ride….It’s a Small World.
Over the years this ride has held a super special place in my heart, because of the love that he has for this attraction. I remember being a little gal singing, pointing, and laughing with my Dad as we floated through the many countries.
Right now my favorite thing is not MY memories with my father, but watching him create those special memories with my daughter. Watching him with her always brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart!
So make sure you keep your arms and legs in the boat as we take a look at some of my favorite parts of “It’s a Small World”
Follow us for more updates: “BeadforLife” – Bringing new opportunities near and far
As I was walking through World Showcase in EPCOT yesterday, I stumbled upon a new kiosk at the African Outpost.
Disney has partnered with “BeadforLife”, http://www.beadforlife.org, to give new life to older Walt Disney World Resort Maps, books, and pamphlets while providing job opportunities for women in Uganda.
The Walt Disney World pamphlets and other outdated materials are sent to Uganda, where the women measure, cut, roll them into beads, and then seal them for extra protection. These beads are then sent back to Florida in the same container, to be strung into necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
The BEST thing is that you can either purchase a piece of jewelry that has already been assembled or you can design your own there on the spot!!!
They are also really reasonable!!!
I can’t wait to design my own necklace!!!
Wordless Wednesday – A look at my favorite plant…
Main Street USA
As you enter Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom, you are immediately immersed into a larger than life Holiday celebration.
It is amazing to walk underneath the huge garlands, look at all the special and specific details in the many shops and restaurants, and find unique experiences to Main Street USA!
Here is a peek at what you will find as you’re “Walking Right Down the Middle of Main Street USA”…
Follow us for more updates:
Holiday Hats at Walt Disney World!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!
While you are getting ready to go out shopping on Black Friday, you might want to take a look at these beauties to help get you in the Christmas spirit as you prepare to sprint for your Holiday gifts!!! 🙂
[slideshow]
Follow us for more updates: Wordless Wednesday – Why we moved…
