Category Archives: Disney at Home

Showing our DisneySide Louisiana-Style

Posted on by

RM-Mardi-Gras-HayesDisclaimer: I received free products in order to host the Disney Side @Home Celebration. The opinions expressed here are my own.

When last we left off (this post), my DisneySide @Home Celebration planning was in full swing. The party day finally arrived and it was a gorgeous warm and sunny Saturday!  When I jumped out of bed at 6 am, I still had a million things to do – cooking, cleaning, and the finishing touches on the decorations were all on my list.  The party was scheduled for 4 pm, so I knew I had plenty of time to pull it all together.  Raymond was on hand to help and Megan would be over in the early afternoon to pitch in.  Ah, the best laid plans…RM-Mardi-Gras-DoorRM-Megan-Balcony-With-Beads

Before I get to the challenging part of the story, let me go over the menu:

  • Chicken and Sausage GumboRM-Mardi-Gras-Hot-Food
  • Shrimp Etouffee
  • Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
  • Rice (for all of the above)
  • Shrimp Dip / potato chips
  • Tortilla Rollups (store bought) and Dip
  • Chicken Salad + mini croissants
  • Mickey-shaped King Cake
  • Mickey Cupcakes with cream cheese icing and white chocolate-dipped Nilla Wafers for “Ears” (with Mardi Gras colored sprinkles)
  • White Chocolate Dipped:  Strawberries, pretzels, & chocolate Pirouette cookies
  • Mickey-shaped Rice Krispies Treats
  • Mixed Nuts
  • Cheese Straws

RM-King-CakeSo, back to the getting ready part.  Everything was going along swimmingly!  Cooking – cupcakes: check, Rice Krispies treats: check, chocolate-covered everything: A-Okay!RM-Mardi-Gras-Disney-SweetsRaymond ran errands for ice and some gift-bag/prize package supplements, Megan arrived and was working on her assignments (bathroom cleaning and balcony decorating) – then…I was walking down the stairs, wearing my usual “at home” outfit of baggie lounge pants, tee-shirt, and fluffy socks…talking to Raymond, picking a bit of dried chocolate (from all the dipping) off of the inside of my left wrist and…as the stairs turn, with my warm and cozy socks…my feet just flew out from under me!  I ended up really hurting my right forearm and lower back, but also, as I flung out my arms to save myself, I hit my left hand against the railing and ripped the fingernail loose on my middle finger.  So, trying to recover my equilibrium, I’m clutching my left hand (bleeding a lot) and sitting on the stairs rocking back and forth in pain – feeling sorry for Raymond at the bottom of the stairs and Megan at the top, who witnessed the entire incident!RM-Mardi-Gras-Decorations2

I was frustrated as I realized how much still needed to be done!  Raymond and Megan looked so horrified – I got up (I may have sobbed for about 10 seconds) and decided it was time to shower and get ready for the party so I’d still have time to cook the gumbo and etouffee.  It’s funny now, but as I was trying to get into the shower, I was fighting not to pass out – for a few minutes, I thought I might have broken my arm.  Aside from a big bruise, I’m absolutely fine,  I just wasted a ton of party prep time falling, stopping the bleeding, lying dizzily on the floor with my feet up…you get the idea.RM-Mickey-Hats!

Right on time, the guests started to arrive!  Megan was on the balcony throwing Mardi Gras beads, the food, decorations, and prize bags were ready.  The party was a huge success!  We played Disney Trivia for entries into drawings for the 10 prize packages and that went really well.  RM-TableGuests (around 35 of us) ranged in age from a couple of months old to 60+!  The food, decorations, and treats were a hit!  I had a blast with my family and friends showing our DisneySide in true Louisiana Mardi Gras fashion!

I’d like to thank MomSelect and DisneyParks and everyone who worked on packing the #DisneySide @Home Celebration boxes! RM-Mardi-Gras-Prizes RM-Mardi-Gras-House RM-Jr-Mardi-Gras-Mask DSCN3995 DSCN3997 DSCN3998 DSCN3984 DSCN3991 DSCN3982 DSCN3978 DSCN3977DSCN3972

 

 

Hosting a #DisneySide @Home Celebration (Pre-Party-Planning)

Posted on by

RM-Mardi-Gras-DecorationsA couple of common mottos or sayings apply to me.  We might call them “Lisa’s words to live by”.  They are:  “Go big or go home” and “If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch”.  The latter being one I learned shortly after moving to Louisiana in 1988 – I love that one!  I want to go big!  With everything I do – I’m all in.  I want to hang with the cool kids and I’m not watching from the porch!  Now that you know those little quirks, lets go back to early last year when I saw a slew of posts on social media about something called a #DisneySide @Home Celebration.  Those posts were everywhere!  Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube even – tons of bloggers in general and fellow Disney fans in particular were talking about their #DisneySide parties – I confess I was a little envious and a lot curious.  I felt left on the porch.

It didn’t take me long to figure out how to throw my hat in the ring – I registered at MomSelect (BSM Media) and indicated my interest in hosting a party at home.  Then I got busy with an eventful rest of the year and didn’t think about the party again until December when I received an email inviting me to apply to become a host.  I applied and was notified that I’d been selected as a party host a couple of weeks later.  Why, you may be asking, would someone have to apply to host a party at their own expense?  What’s the deal?  What’s in it for the hosts?  Good questions!  If you are selected to host a #DisneySide @Home Celebration, you receive a big box of party supplies and other assorted goodies and samples based on information you provided on the application about what type of party you’d like to have.  On my application, I indicated that I have grown children and would like to host a multi-generational party for extended family and friends.  If you apply and are selected, you must agree to host your party in January or February…this is where, for me, this adventure gets a bit dicey.RM-#DisneySide-Notification

As I type this, I’m checking my UPS delivery app to track my very own box of awesomeness (in transit).  I’m sitting in a hotel room in Baton Rouge where I’m staying on business.  I’ll be here again next week for a couple of days – and yet again the week after that.  I also have that little trip to Walt Disney World coming up in four weeks to run the Glass Slipper Challenge.  To pull of the most awesome party possible in the middle of all this craziness, I needed to jump the gun and choose a party theme, party date, and mail invitations – all before actually receiving the party supplies!RM-Invitation for #DisneySide Party

There’s no better time to have a #DisneySide party in Louisiana than during Mardi Gras season!  Disney and New Orleans have been intertwined for many years and I’m having an absolute blast planning every detail of my own tribute to that old and established relationship.  The date has been selected (February 7th). The invitations have been printed and mailed.  The menu has been planned and the decorations have even been going up.  Mardi Gras colors are green, purple and gold – they will play a big role in making this celebration a success.  Stop back here and watch as events unfold.  Also, I’ll be posting on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest if you want to follow along in any of those places.   Laissez les Disney temps rouler!    RM-Invitations-Mailing

Mary Poppins Collectibles – Book and Record

Posted on by

This post for Saturday’s With Nick originally appeared on the Disney Musings Blog on December 20, 2013.  I continue to be in awe of Nick’s Disneyana collection and these particular items make me Goofy-Hat-Green with envy since Mary Poppins is so near and dear to my heart.  Enjoy!

Mary Poppins Collectibles – Book and Record

By: NickToday, Disney releases the film, Saving Mr. Banks, and to say I am excited to see this is an understatement.  Both Barbie and I have grown up with Mary Poppins.The film centers on the life of P. L. Travers, creator of Mary Poppins, shifting between her childhood, and the negotiations with Walt Disney in the making of the motion picture, Mary Poppins, in 1961

If you haven’t seen the trailer, it looks absolutely amazing. I just re-watched it, and have goosebumps, and, okay, a tear in my eye.

As much as we both love Mary Poppins, we actually only have 2 items from Mary Poppins, if you don’t include a VHS, DVD, and the just released Blu-ray copy of the film!

One is this record album Barbie has had since childhood.

It includes a very brief synopsis of the movie, and even a brief telling of how Disney came to discover Mary Poppins and produce this masterpiece.

And what more can I say about the music by the Sherman Brothers other than it is absolutely brilliant?

This 1964 Mary Poppins movie book from Golden Press was bought just a few months ago at our local flea market.

Originally priced at $.69, I paid $2.

Not in the best of shape, but, having just seen the trailer for the first time the day before, I felt it was fate that I came upon it, and had to buy it!

It tells a bit about the production, and the 2 primary stars, Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, on the inside cover, before going on to tell the story of the motion picture, with photos from the film.

My Disney New Year’s Resolutions 2015

Posted on by

RM-Happy-New-Year-2015Happy New Year!  Thanks for stopping by. Let me take this opportunity to tell you how much it means to me that you are taking time out of your day to visit.

Last year was the first time I ever made New Year’s resolutions.  Normally, I don’t believe in them.  I think if you want to make a change, you should just do it.  Why wait? Why ruin a perfectly good reason to celebrate with crazy plans for losing weight, getting in shape, or being nicer?  Life changes are best made when it’s time and individually, we all have to be ready and know when the time is right.  So, for my first foray into the world of resolutions, I made them based on my passion – Disney!  And you know what?  It was a brilliant idea for me.  I was able to follow the plan.  I did indeed do each and every thing I set out to do (read those resolutions here).  Except for one recipe and the fact that I expected to like #9 at least a little, they went really well!  On the heels of that success, I decided to use the exact same format for this year’s commitments.  Don’t mess with success – it’s a great motto!

So without further ado, I give you…

My Disney New Year’s Resolutions 2015:

1. See These Movies:RM-Cinderella-Movie-Poster

  • Cinderella (3/13)
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (5/1)
  • Tomorrowland (5/22)
  • Inside Out (6/19)
  • Ant-Man (7/17)
  • The Jungle Book (10/9)
  • The Good Dinosaur (11/25)
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12/18)

Mural in Maelstrom / World Showcase / Epcot2. Take a Cruise – Last year’s #2 was “Book a Cruise”, so now it’s time to set sail!  In June, The Fam and I will fly to Copenhagen to board the Disney Magic for a cruise through the fjords of Norway.  Whatcha wanna bet there’s a bunch of Frozen tie-ins on that cruise? ‘S okay, we’ve braced ourselves.  Adventure is out there!  Stand by for more on this as the port excursions become available for booking. Of course, I’ll report back on all the deets!

3. Complete a runDisney Event or Three:  Glass Slipper Challenge, here I come.  In addition, based on my very own husband’s advice, I’m registered for the Disney Princess 5k.  Yes, I’m planning to run a 5k, 10k, and a half marathon over three days – sounds easy compared to the Dopey Challenge, doesn’t it?

4. Make More Disney Friends!  You guys are GREAT!  Many of you who regularly read this blog, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and listen to…see #7, have become like family to me.  I know I’ll get the opportunity to meet some of you in February when I’m touring the World completing resolution #3.  If you are going to be at Walt Disney World during the Princess Half Marathon Weekend, holler!

5. Try These Restaurants:

  • Kona Café:  I’ve even stayed at the Polynesian Village Resort before, but have never eaten at the Kona Café.  I hear it’s not to be missed!
  • Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht Club Resort):  I’ve never been to the Yacht Club, but I’ve heard raving reviews about the Steakhouse.  I’d like to see how it compares to another popular steak place, Le Cellier (Epcot, Canada Pavilion).
  • Il Mulino (The Swan):  It’s Italian and I love Italian food.  Since the last time I ate at Tutto Italia in Epcot was a huge disappointment, I’m pining for some delicious Italian fare on Walt Disney World property.  I have high hopes.IMG_2320

6. Find and Trade for The Missing Pin:  It’s the Toy Story Midway Mania pin set and I’m missing the beaver pin.  I don’t know how realistic this goal is, but maybe if a few of you fellow pin fanatics are on the lookout, you could help me find my missing pin.

TheDisneyExchangeLogo7. Work on My Podcasting Skills:  As you may or may not be aware, just two short weeks ago, I became a podcast host!  Blogging and podcasting are often mutually exclusive, but I fancy myself a master of multi-tasking and hey, when you have as much to say about Disney as I do, it’s a lot easier to talk than to write.  Not only that, but my co-hosts, Nick and Dave, are just awesome guys who love Disney as much as I do!  Please give The Disney Exchange a listen and let me know what you think.  Too long?  Too short?  Too broad? Too specific?  What topics would you like to hear us discuss?

8. Try These Recipes:

  • Tonga Toast (Kona Café):  World famous breakfast food!  Found the recipe here.
  • Jiko’s Macaroni and Cheese:  We love Jiko!  I usually make risotto when Raymond grills his famously delicious steaks, but a bed of Mac & Cheese would be awesome and if it tastes like Jiko’s?  Perfection!  Here’s the recipe.
  • Irish Brown Bread with Guinness Reduction:  Whoa!  If I can pull this off, I will be a hero.  The Fam loves Raglan Road and the bread and dipping sauce are certainly part of why we love it!  Here’s the recipe.

9. Taste a Citrus Swirl – Last year’s #9 was to try a Dole Whip for the first time.  If you missed seeing how that turned out, watch the video here.  I’m not ruling out the chance that I may enjoy something Dole Whip-ish, so I’m going to give the Citrus Swirl a try.  We shall see.

10. Make More and Better Videos – Last year, this resolution was to take more and better pictures.  I’m pretty happy with the result of those efforts.  Now it’s time to work on my video skills.  Between my GoPro and iPhone, I’m pretty sure I’ll have at least a few new Disney vacation videos to share with you in 2015.

There they are!  Now it’s your turn!  Did any of these resolutions make it onto your list?  What Disney plans are on your 2015 calendar?