Disney Bucket List 2014

Each time we visit Disney World I create a bucket list of fun and exciting things for us to do.  Some of them are new to us and some are old favorites.  I like to find a few special things that are at our resort because you just never know when we will stay there again.  I enjoy finding the perfect mix of hidden magic and must do experiences.  We are very lucky to visit often but every time we go the experience is different.  This list is for our January 2014 trip.  I know that we won't do/see all of these things, but I like to have the list so that we can continue to try new things.  My must do list is very long and it grows after each visit.

1. Find DiVine-DiVine is a street performer at Animal Kingdom.  She is hard to find for a couple of reasons.  She is fully decked out in face paint and foliage to blend in with the surroundings.  She is rarely listed in the times guide, but from what I hear you can ask Cast Members for details.  
2. Ask for Ketchup at Whispering Canyon Cafe- This is a table service restaurant located inside of Wilderness Lodge.  I have been told that something crazy will happen when you ask for ketchup at this restaurant.  I guess we will have to wait and see...
3. See the Trains and Geyser at Wilderness Lodge- Fire Rock Geyser is a geyser that erupts at the top of the hour throughout the day.  It shoots water 120 ft into the air.  Nestled inside the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge is Walt Disney's personal train collection.  You don't have to be a guest at this resort to enjoy it.  It is available for all to see.  
4. Lunch at Be Our Guest- Be Our Guest is the newest Quick Service/Table Service restaurant at Magic Kingdom.  During our last trip we scored a dinner reservation and it was GREAT.  You can check out my dinner review here.  This time we are hoping to eat there for lunch.  During lunch it is a Quick Service restaurant with lots of yummy sounding options.  You can even get a cupcake topped with the "Grey Stuff."  So don't forget to "Try the Grey Stuff, It's delicious!"
5. Try a Dole Whip-  This is a pineapple soft serve float that according to most Disney Addicts is a "MUST HAVE" snack.  I have taken a sip of a friend's Dole Whip and liked it but I have never had one of my own.  No one else in my family has ever tasted this signature snack.  There is always a line at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom, but I plan to wait this time!
6. Meet Anna and Elsa in Norway-  Anna and Elsa are the stars of the newest Disney movie "Frozen."  We saw the movie back in November and LOVED IT!  We don't often wait in line to meet princesses because I have two little boys, but this is one exception they are willing to make and that makes this Mom happy:)
7. Visit Talking Mickey- At our visit in November we able to get FastPasses to meet the Magician Talking Mickey at Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom.  This was one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.  It actually brought tears to my eyes.  My little ones have not stopped talking about it, so it makes the list AGAIN!
8. Watch Electrical Water Pageant-  This is a water parade on the Seven Seas Lagoon.  It can be seen from 5 different resorts at various times.  We plan to let the kiddos play in the sand and relax and watch the lights pass by.  
9. Watch Lights Motor Action Stunt Show- This is a high action stunt show that includes a favorite character, Lightning McQueen.  We saw this show a few years ago and would love to see it again.  Make sure to check the times guide because it is only performed a few times a day.  I have also heard a rumor that the show may be phasing out.  
10. Chip and Dale Campfire Sing a long-  Each night at 7pm Chip and Dale host a campfire sing-a-long at  Fort Wilderness behind the Meadow Trading Post.  S'mores kits and marshmallow sticks are available for purchase for $5 or feel free to bring your own.  We have attempted to do this in previous visits, but it has always seemed to hot to sit at a campfire.  This is our first trip in January and the weather should be perfect.  
11. Wake up call from a character- I have never done this, but from what I have researched all you have to do is request a wake up call and the next morning a character will call.  I will let you know how it goes in my bucket list update after the trip.  
12. See Turtle Talk with Crush-  This a one of our favorite attractions at Epcot because it is always a good laugh and never the same experience.  It makes our list because we missed it last time. 
13. Meet Ralph and Vanellope- These characters from Wreck-it Ralph are available for photo ops and HUGS inside the Magic of Disney Animation.  
14. Draw a character at Animation Academy- Inside the Magic of Disney Animation you can watch a 9 minute film on how characters are drawn and then an animator will draw a character live as you watch and follow along to make a character of your own.  

We are going again!!!  Here is the link to my latest Bucket List

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Magical Mom's June Menu- 30 Days of Dinner

This month's menu includes lots of new recipes including several of my favorites including Tequila Lime Shrimp with Cumin Rice, Spicy Bacon Carbonara, Pesto Chicken, and Honey, I ate the Pork Tenderloin.  My tummy is rumbling just thinking about all of the delicious things we are having this month.  Be sure to check out our other monthly menus for even more ideas.

Magical Moms March Madness Menu

Appetizing April Menu

Marvelous May Menu

Just click on the menu item to go directly to the post with recipe, directions, and pictures.  ENJOY!

*Recipes coming soon

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
			1 Key Lime BBQ Chicken, Better than Rice-A-Roni Rice Pilaf, Honey Grilled Pineapple	2 *Parmesan Panko Tilapia, 2-Step Potatoes with Loaded Sour Cream	3 French Onion Salisbury Steak with Crunchy Cheese Toasts, Herb Butter Corn on the Cob	4 *Sausage Stuffed Shells, Ceasar Salad
5 Maple Dijon Chicken, Oven Roasted Asparagus, Crispy Parmesan Potatoes	6 Braised Sirloin Tips with Portabello Mushrooms	7 Pretzel Crusted Honey Mustard Chicken,  Cheddar Broccoli Bites, Parmesan Pilaf	8 *Super Sloppy Joe Sliders, Skinny Spinach Mac & Cheese	9 Pesto Chicken and Pasta, Henderson House Salad	10 Blue Cheese Butter Restaurant Style Steak, Spinach and Orzo	11 *Apple Butter BBQ, B.B.B. Bacon Bean Bundles, Lawry's Potato Squares
12 {Caesar} Chicken Salad Pitas, Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Cinnamon Dipping Sauce	13 Disney's 50's Primetime Cafe Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots	14 Honey, I Ate the Pork Tenderloin, Grandma's Green Beans,	15 *Chippy Chicken, Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes, Krazy Corn	16 Spaghetti and Baked Meatballs, *Cucumber Salad	17 Jalepeno and Bacon Cheesy Bread, Grilled Chicken (make and extra piece for tomorrow)	18 BBQ Chicken Potato Skins, Strawberry Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
19 Tequila Lime shrimp, Cumin Rice, Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash	20 Steak on a Stick,  Pan Fried Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli	21 The Bread Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms,	22 *Oriental Honey Chicken	23 Pocket Burgers, Crispy Onion Straws, Deviled Eggs	24 Spicy Bacon Carbonara, Caesar Salad	25 *Dorito Chicken Fingers, *Oven Baked Fries
26 BBQ Pulled Pork {Cincinnati Style}	27 Sweet Cajun Chicken, Grilled Zucchini Flats	28 Golden Pork Chops, Noodles, Carrots	29 *Grilled Peppered Steak with Mushroom Wine Sauce	30 Cha Cha Chicken Tacos with Mango Tango Salsa

Tequila Lime Shrimp

I like to cook with wine, I like to cook with beer, but when it's been a really rough week I like to cook with Tequila!!!  This is one of my new favorite ways to cook shrimp!  The marinade adds SO much flavor, perfect for summer!  I included the rice recipe on this post but make sure to click the link to see how I made the veggies.

Ingredients:
For Shrimp

• 2 Tablespoons of Tequila
• 1 lb of Shrimp (cleaned and deveined)
• 2 Tablespoons of Lime Juice
• 1/4 Cup of Olive Oil
• A generous pinch of Salt
• A generous pinch of Cumin
• A couple dashes of Cayenne Pepper
• A couple dashes of Black Pepper

Cumin Rice 

• 1 3/4 Cups Chicken Broth
• 1 Tablespoon of Onion (chopped fine)
• 2 Cups of Brown Minute Rice
• Salt to taste (I didn't use much)
• A couple dashes Cumin (you want the flavor to compliment the shrimp not over power it)
• Drizzle of Olive Oil

Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash (click for recipe)

Combine all ingredients except shrimp in a small bowl and mix together.  Pour in large zipper bag add shrimp and place in fridge for about an hour.  

After the shrimp has marinated for about an hour, place the shrimp on skewers.  I use metal ones, but remember if you are using wooden ones you need to soak them

Place on preheated grill and cook each side about 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink in color.

When both sides have been cooked remove from grill and serve. 

For the rice, drizzle olive oil in sauce pan.  Heat and add onion.  Cook for about a minute and add in the rice.  Continue to cook over medium high heat to toast the rice just a bit.  About 3 minutes.  Add in chicken broth and bring to a boil.  Turn heat to low, cover, and simmer until all liquid is absorbed- about 15 minutes.  

Fluff rice with fork and add a couple dashes of cumin and salt.  Place the Tequila Lime Shrimp on top of the rice and veggies and ENJOY!  Trust me you will be making this often!

This recipe was featured on our 30 Days of Dinners June Menu, Make sure to check out all of the other great recipes on this month's menu!

Appetizing April Menu- 30 Days of Dinner Ideas

Last month's Magical Moms March Menu Madness was a hit with our families, how about yours?  This month's menu features several new recipes as well as some of our classics.  When you try one of our recipes, we would LOVE to hear what you think so please come back and leave us a comment!

Monthly Menu Template Download- this will take you to Google Drive, and from there you just click the arrow at the top left and open as a Word document, then save to your computer.

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
	1 Sausage and Pepper Pasta	2 Herb Butter Steakhouse Steak, Lawry's Potato Squares, Sauteed Mushrooms	3 Sausage, Beans, and Rice (gluten free)	4  Simply Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff	5 Jamaican Me Hungry Jerk Chicken, Better than Rice-a-Roni, Corn on the Cob	6 Meatball Subs, Caesar Salad
7 Spicy Bacon Carbonara, The Bread	8  Grilled Bourbon Pork Medallions, Rosemary Chive Grilled Potatoes, Green Waldorf Salad with Honey Yogurt Dressing	9 Tracy's Taco Pie, Tufano Salsa Dip	10 Loaded Potato Soup Parmesan Pretzel Bites	11 Best Darn Pork BBQ, coleslaw	12 Whiskey Steak, Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes, Oven Roasted Asparagus	13 Pizza Rolls- All Grown Up
14 Dorito Taco Casserole	15 Chicken Parmesan One for Tonight & One for the Freezer, Spaghetti	16 Apple of My Eye Chicken Thigh, Hodge Podge Rice	17 Creamy Mushroom Angel Pasta, Spinach Salad	18 Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken, Zucchini	19 Slow Cooker 8 Spice Lemon Chicken, Mac and Cheese	20 Creamy Garlic Ranch Pork Chops, Garlic Mashed Potatoes
21 Southwest Pasta Bake	22 Grilled Chicken, BLT Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing	23 Lazy Lasagna (from freezer), cucumber salad	24 Mouth Watering Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots	25 Cha Cha Chicken with Mango Tango Salsa	26 Fancy Grilled Ham and Cheese (or as some call it Croque Monsier), chicken noodle soup	27 Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
28 Ritzy Buffalo Mac and Cheese, carrots, celery, & blue cheese	29 Keep It Covered Chicken and Rice, Steamed Brocoli	30 Salsa Chicken