Kayak for Mother's Day

In addition to making an incredible lasagna dinner, Randy also got me a kayak which I've been wanting for awhile now. Today was chilly but nice so it was our first time testing it out.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe for Jennifer

I found this recipe in an old Southern Cooking cookbook we purchased at a thrift store in LA.

1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 large egg
2 TB of half & half or milk (you may need to sprinkle a bit more if dough is too dry, but start with 2TB)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups of all purpose flour (I use Wegmans white whole wheat flour which has more fiber which is why I tend to need a few more sprinkles of milk)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder

1 cup of dark chocolate chips (I use ghiardelli 70%, but the chips are huge so I use about 1/2-3/4 cup)

Preheat oven to 375 (I use 375 on the convect setting)
In mixer, combine together butter, sugar, egg, milk, vanilla. In another bowl, stir flour, salt, and baking soda until mixed, and then add to wet ingredients.

If dry, add sprinkle in another 1/2 tsp of milk. When it all looks like cookie dough, mix in the chocolate chips.

Use a small ice cream scoop or two tablespoons to place 12 scoops on cookie baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until brown. Cool completely.

Siblings

Headshot selfie

Work asked for a headshot and I realized last one I had was from 8 years ago.

Archery Practice

Lockdown Recipies

Korean broccoli - first time I made this, it was fantastic. Second time, I overcooked it by a minute, and it was horrible. I will definitely make again though.


And, this rosemary bread is super easy and super tasty.

Cookie Rookie - No Knead Dutch Oven bread

Other Disney/Universal Trip Photos by Vinny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rise of the Resistance

There was some time during our December vacation, I was as happy as a child, one that is 100% incandescently monumentally happy from the tippy top of their head to the bottom of their feet. I can't think of a more jarring amazing experience than to feel that way as an adult. Happy Birthday to me.

I HIGHLY recommend that anyone who has ever in their lives considered themselves a fan of Star Wars go and ride ROTR.

 

Money saving tips:

1) The Amtrak ride to Orlando is AWFUL, but I signed up for their Amtrak rewards card and with the points I was able to get free roundtrip coach seats. Kids 12 and under ride for half price and there are senior citizen discounts. Transportation costs being what they are, free is good even if the ride is bad. 

2) The dining plan is a ripoff unless you are someone who can eat massive amounts of food/sugar. There are places with decent food and prices in each park - Docking Bay 7, Harambe Market, Be Our Guest lunch, Flame Tree BBQ have decent food and prices compared to other food stops. And snacks like roasted corn, Dole Whips, and Chicken dumplings are good for on the go.

3) Saturdays are way more expensive then any other day at the Disney resorts, so avoid a Saturday if you can.  

4) If you can stay at a Disney resort room for $175/night or less (it takes some hunting), I think it's worth it, because the extra magic hours and the free shuttles increases the amount of time you can actually spend at the parks. And you save on rental cars and parking fees. 

Snow Day

T-Giving Day with Mookies

Pasteles from Jandy (in Syracuse)

Mookies suggested a game

The game became "buried in stuffed animals"

Photo by Kat