Disney’s New Fantasyland: It’s a Whole New World!

December 10, 2012 By

My family just returned from a whirlwind four-day trip to Disney World. As first-timers, we checked out the brand spankin’ New Fantasyland, had major meltdowns in the Motherland at Epcot, fell in love with Animal Kingdom and lost (yes, LOST) a child at the airport so almost missed our connecting flight.

Basically, it was just a typical vacation Chez Nous.

I’ve done a write-up about New Fantasyland in the Denver Post’s Hub today but stay tuned for many more details.

Just as soon as I recover from them all.

Filed Under: Disney, Humor, travel Tagged With:

A Stellar Snowmamas Summit and the Hunk of Sizzling Beef (literally)

December 6, 2012 By

For the past four years, I’ve headed to Park City Mountain Resort the first weekend in December for a Snowmamas summit to welcome all the new recruits. Flying into Utah is just like coming home.And staying at the luxurious Silver Star condos is what I wish I could call home. The purpose of the weekend is to ski, get to know the new Snowmamas (and Papa!) and review the nuts and bolts of contributing to Snowmamas.com’s cutting-edge social media site that is intended to make ski/snowboard vacations easier for families.

And what better way to lend advice than to delve into Park City Mountain Resort’s many activities including the Flying Eagle zip line and alpine slide.We really have an impressive group who were selected from hundred of applicants (see them here). That’s me waving at the very back, like the party crasher I am. #PhotoBomb

We also ate a lot of great food.  I had my doubts about trying Asian restaurant Yuki Arashi because I hate sushi. But then I met the Wagyu Beef Tataki that I cooked on a 500-degree Himalayan sea-salt block. It was the very opposite of disgusting raw fish.

Every Friday at 10 a.m. during the season, Snowmamas does an on-mountain meet-up and any parent is invited to ski/snowboard. It is a fantastic way to socialize and meet other snow-loving people.

Just stay away from Lisa (second from the left). She’s a bit overprotective.

I had to cut out a day early to make it back for our ward Christmas party but there’s nothing quite like flying home to Colorado’s mountains…and then wandering around lost at the airport parking lot. Because nothing says “Welcome home” quite like forgetting where you parked.

Filed Under: skiing, Utah

Sinfully delicious pumpkin waffle recipe

December 4, 2012 By

Last year, I stumbled upon a pretty darn awesome pumpkin waffle recipe and made it for the missionaries. They loved it and my family loves it. So much, in fact, that my kiddos beg to make the “missionary waffles” whenever a new set of them comes around. I’m always more than happy to oblige.

Because I’m a giver like that.

This really is a great December dish with all the holiday spices I love. Enjoy!

Sinfully delicious pumpkin waffle recipe

Ingredients

1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp allspice
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and warm

Directions

1. Lightly oil the waffle iron with vegetable oil and preheat.

2. Combine brown sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl. Whisk together the remaining dry ingredients.

3. Add pumpkin and milk to the eggs. Whisk to blend and set aside.

4. Pour melted butter into thepumpkin mixture. As you pour, whisk to combine.

5. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix them together until just combined. A bit of lumpiness is fine.

6. Once the waffle iron is heated, you’re ready to pour the batter!

 

Filed Under: Foodie Tagged With:

Quite possibly the best cat picture, ever

December 3, 2012 By

It has come to this: I am one of the crazies posting cat pictures on the Internet. Oh wait, I’ve been doing that for a while now with my Fat Kitty pictures. I’m not sure why I can’t stop laughing at this picture.

Maybe it’s because Jamie says Fat Kitty isn’t a real cat.

Maybe it’s because Fat Kitty once caught a mouse in our backyard and, not knowing what to do with it, sat on it. Or maybe because it’s just so darn funny.

Filed Under: Humor Tagged With:
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