The Twelve Days of Swinter: From Castaway 'Key' to a Partridge in a Palm Tree!

[brookelizabeth]

I am glad to read that despite the cruise being booked it didn't feel too crowded! Such a neat touch with the stars above the bed and the nightlight.

I got tears in my eyes when I listed to the horn!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I am glad to read that despite the cruise being booked it didn't feel too crowded! Such a neat touch with the stars above the bed and the nightlight.

I got tears in my eyes when I listed to the horn!

It really wasn't bad at all. The deck parties were too crowded for me, but that's just how I am. Most people probably wouldn't mind. I just can't stand people right up on me. But other than the parties, it was really great. Even Castaway Cay didn't seem crowded at all. It really seemed kind of empty. We had NO problem finding a chair and there were empty ones all day long. I had read though that it was hard to find a seat on CC, but we didn't experience that at all.

That ship horn is soooooo awesome! The other ships that were docked at PC pulled out first, and I didn't hear them even have a ship horn. Maybe they did, but we didn't hear one. Disney definitely ROCKS on everything they do!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I just wanted to tell everyone to have a very merry Christmas before things get too crazy. All of you are very special people and I love talking with you and having such great ladies to share my love of Disney with. I really don't have anyone in my 'real life' that 'gets it' like you guys do, so I very much appreciate having all of you around.

I always like to give my friends a little something for Christmas each year just to let them know that they were thought of, but since you guys are scattered all over the US and a few other countries, that's not really possible. But I didn't want to leave you all out nonetheless, so I am going to give the gift that women have given each other since the beginning of time... recipes!

These are my two, absolute favorite Christmas recipes. I make these for EVERY party that we attend each year and I swear to you there is NEVER a drop left of either one. In fact, people always tell me that I can't come to the party if I don't bring these! They are both super easy and extremely good! That's the only kind of recipe I want!

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

1 package Hillshire Farm Little Smokies
1 pound bacon
brown sugar (about 1 cup)
toothpicks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut entire package of bacon into 3 equal parts. Wrap each little smokie with 1/3 slice of bacon , slightly overlapping ends, and secure with a toothpick. Place smokies in a large baking dish. Sprinkle generously with brown sugar. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, or just until the bacon is cooked through. Place smokies on a clean serving tray or warming plate to serve.

*This recipe was given to me years ago by my aunt. I have no idea where she got it from, but it's a keeper! The little smokies can be found in the hot dog/smoked sausage area of the grocery store. Kids love these too!

Sweet N' Salty Turtles

1 large bag Rolos (chocolate & caramel candies)
1 bag mini pretzel twists
pecan halves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove foil wrappers from entire bag of Rolos. Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Fill the cookie sheet with pretzels in a single layer. Top each pretzel with a Rolo. Place cookie sheet in oven for about 2 minutes. The Rolos will just start to get limp, but DO NOT let them melt completely. (You want the chocolate to get JUST soft enough to press the pecan halves into.) Remove the tray from the oven and immediately begin pressing one pecan half into each Rolo. Place entire tray into the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour or until the chocolate is completely set and the candies come off clean from the aluminum foil.

*I got this recipe from a little old lady at church, so you know it has to be good! You can find large bags of Rolos on the candy isle of the grocery store. Also, the pecans are just raw and natural (not roasted or salted). We pick our own around here and crack them ourselves, but that's probably a southern thing. You can buy big bags of them in the store though. ENJOY!!!!

Merry Christmas Dis Friends!!!!!!!!!!!!! ​

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Thanks for the awesome recipes!! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Yummo!!! Thanks for sharing!
I have a bacon recipe to share with you, but I have Harper and Hunter here right now. I'll be back later...

OK, here you go: I'm posting the link from the pioneer woman website. The recipe I started using came from Paula Deen. We love these and have been known to make ourselves sick on them. Whenever we have treat day at school, I'm expected to bring them. I make the night before and heat them up in the oven so that I can bring them in warm...

I make a couple of changes by using the fresh grated Parmesan and Townhouse Crackers but I like the way she shows you how to do it all!!!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/12/flashback_1981_-_holiday_bacon_appetizers/

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Thanks for the awesome recipes!! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

Thanks Shelly! You too!

Yummo!!! Thanks for sharing!
I have a bacon recipe to share with you, but I have Harper and Hunter here right now. I'll be back later...

OK, here you go: I'm posting the link from the pioneer woman website. The recipe I started using came from Paula Deen. We love these and have been known to make ourselves sick on them. Whenever we have treat day at school, I'm expected to bring them. I make the night before and heat them up in the oven so that I can bring them in warm...

I make a couple of changes by using the fresh grated Parmesan and Townhouse Crackers but I like the way she shows you how to do it all!!!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/12/flashback_1981_-_holiday_bacon_appetizers/

Oh, those look really good! I will absolutely be trying them!!! Thank you! And btw, I love the Pioneer Woman! I just saw her show for the first time last week and LOVED it! In fact, I loved it so much that I took the time to email FN and tell them. She is so real and I can totally appreciate that. A lot of the other shows on Food Network just portray a lifestyle that I don't live... and I'd imagine most other people don't either.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Thanks Rinky - my mom is making those bacon wrapped smokies for us for Christmas - one of my DH's favorites!!!

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas as well!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Thanks Rinky - my mom is making those bacon wrapped smokies for us for Christmas - one of my DH's favorites!!!

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas as well!!

You too Sheree! Eat some smokies for me!

When are you guys leaving for Va? I hope you have a safe trip and we'll be praying for you.

 

[sjs314]

Merry Christmas Rinky !

I love the recipes especially the one for the Turtles......just yesterday while shopping DH and I got into a disagreement about chocolate covered pretzels which he insists he does not like yet has never tasted them (we have this "disagreement"over lots of foods) anyway I want to make your turtles and watch him eat them not knowing about the pretzels, he loves chocolate so I think I can pull this off

Yep picking pecans is a southern thing but we can buy then in the shell in bags

 

[CandleontheWater]

Thanks for the awesome update! Too bad about the lifeboat drill mix-up, but I'm glad it all got sorted out!

Dinner sound divine! My favorite part of cruising is eating, so I love to hear about all the dining experiences. How long did you guys spend at dinner? We are thinking about a last minute cruise, but I'm not sure how DS would do with extended dining.

Do you think it would be OK if we brought the ipad to the table and let him watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with the sound off? I don't want to be rude, and I know some people don't like technology at the table, but people don't like fussy kids either.

DS is doing much better with eating out, we went to a fairly nice restaurant last weekend and he sat with no issues for about an hour and a half, watching the ipad (with the sound off). No one seemed bothered by it, but no one else was sitting at our table either.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Merry Christmas Rinky !

I love the recipes especially the one for the Turtles......just yesterday while shopping DH and I got into a disagreement about chocolate covered pretzels which he insists he does not like yet has never tasted them (we have this "disagreement"over lots of foods) anyway I want to make your turtles and watch him eat them not knowing about the pretzels, he loves chocolate so I think I can pull this off

Yep picking pecans is a southern thing but we can buy then in the shell in bags

Well I guess I am lucky b/c DH and DD both will eat just about anything I put in front of them. I bet your DH would like those turtles though. They are really, really good! I've never met anyone who doesn't like them. Good luck!

Thanks for the awesome update! Too bad about the lifeboat drill mix-up, but I'm glad it all got sorted out!

Dinner sound divine! My favorite part of cruising is eating, so I love to hear about all the dining experiences. How long did you guys spend at dinner? We are thinking about a last minute cruise, but I'm not sure how DS would do with extended dining.

The food on the Dream is soooooo good! We were really pleased with almost everything. And the dinners moved really quickly. They were not rushing us or anything, but it moved along a lot faster than I expected. Each meal is 5 courses (I think) and they bring the drinks and bread out as soon as you sit down. Then the starters came almost immediately too b/c it was stuff that you would want to eat with the bread, like soup and salad. They time it perfectly though so it's not rushed but doesn't take forever either. I thought we finished up faster every evening than what we do in restaurants around home. The service is just so good. We were never sitting there waiting for anything. I think you'll be pleased.

Do you think it would be OK if we brought the ipad to the table and let him watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with the sound off? I don't want to be rude, and I know some people don't like technology at the table, but people don't like fussy kids either.

I would absolutely bring it if it works. I wouldn't worry about what anyone else thought. I'm sure they would rather see a child watching a movie than a child whining or crying. I don't blame you one bit. My DD was not very good about sitting in restaurants either at that age and we ALWAYS carried something for her to do. You can always ask for private dining though.

DS is doing much better with eating out, we went to a fairly nice restaurant last weekend and he sat with no issues for about an hour and a half, watching the ipad (with the sound off). No one seemed bothered by it, but no one else was sitting at our table either.

Again, if I was your tablemate, I'd much prefer a contented child to a fussy one.

replies in blue

ETA: I just went back and checked the times on all my dining pictures and we were seated at 5:45 and done by 7:00 each night... so 1:15 for each meal. That's fast to me for so many courses. Hope that helps!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

You too Sheree! Eat some smokies for me!

When are you guys leaving for Va? I hope you have a safe trip and we'll be praying for you.

Thanks! I will definitely be eating more than my share!

We will be leaving for VA at 0-dark-30 on Monday morning. Probably on the road by 6. Monday will be a long day of driving - hopefully to Pennsylvania and then on Tuesday only a short day to get the rest of the way, hopefully by early afternoon.
Thanks for your prayers. It's sure nice to know I have such good people helping us out!

 

[MeMom]

We do love those little smokies at our house, too. I take them to functions all the time - covered in barbecue sauce in a crockpot. There are never any leftovers. I am going to make a package of them with the bacon and brown sugar for us to have at Jill's house tonight. I've done that bacon/cheese/cracker recipe before, too. So good!

I will be trying the turtles, for sure. I love the white or milk chocolate covered pretzels. And anything with nuts works for me!

How fun it would be to have a DIStown Center where we could gather - sharing recipes and stories, sipping on hot chocolate in the winter and ice cold lemonade in the summer, DIS kids playing in the yard or doing fun crafts together.

Merry Christmas to your family! I will be on the road to Alabama in a few hours. Have a great weekend!

 

[mom2rtk]

Is it too late to join in? I just found your TR and am all caught up!

Your photos are awesome. Between you and Jen, you really have me drooling over the Dream. (Is there a drooling smiley????? Jen??????? Surely you have one??????)

The AD story was priceless! It reminded me of last year when I shoved Katie onto Rockin Roller Coaster. Same deal. She had looked forward to it so long, then was trying to chicken out at the last. Soooooo..... no flames here........ or I'd be throwing them at myself as well!

Merry Christmas! Can't wait to read more!

 

[mommy2mb]

Joining in!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Thanks! I will definitely be eating more than my share!

We will be leaving for VA at 0-dark-30 on Monday morning. Probably on the road by 6. Monday will be a long day of driving - hopefully to Pennsylvania and then on Tuesday only a short day to get the rest of the way, hopefully by early afternoon.
Thanks for your prayers. It's sure nice to know I have such good people helping us out!

Well I hope you have a safe and uneventful trip. Hope you've managed to have some joy in your Christmas day despite your sad news.

We do love those little smokies at our house, too. I take them to functions all the time - covered in barbecue sauce in a crockpot. There are never any leftovers. I am going to make a package of them with the bacon and brown sugar for us to have at Jill's house tonight. I've done that bacon/cheese/cracker recipe before, too. So good!

I will be trying the turtles, for sure. I love the white or milk chocolate covered pretzels. And anything with nuts works for me!

How fun it would be to have a DIStown Center where we could gather - sharing recipes and stories, sipping on hot chocolate in the winter and ice cold lemonade in the summer, DIS kids playing in the yard or doing fun crafts together.

Merry Christmas to your family! I will be on the road to Alabama in a few hours. Have a great weekend!

We like them in BBQ sauce too! YUM!

Well I nominate you to start a Distown blog where we can share recipes and tips and whatever! I'm way too techno illiterate for anything like that. In fact, I don't even know if that's what a blog is for!

Hope you had safe travels and a wonderful Christmas day!

Is it too late to join in? I just found your TR and am all caught up!

Your photos are awesome. Between you and Jen, you really have me drooling over the Dream. (Is there a drooling smiley????? Jen??????? Surely you have one??????)

The AD story was priceless! It reminded me of last year when I shoved Katie onto Rockin Roller Coaster. Same deal. She had looked forward to it so long, then was trying to chicken out at the last. Soooooo..... no flames here........ or I'd be throwing them at myself as well!

Merry Christmas! Can't wait to read more!

No way is it too late! We haven't even gotten started good yet! I'm so glad you came over! I would've invited you personally, but I really hate to do that b/c I don't want people to feel obligated to join in. I know how busy life is and you can't read every TR out there, but I sure am glad you are here.

I'm sure I'll need photography tips along the way from you. You know I'm just working with a fancy point and shoot here, so I'm limited with what I can do. My pictures won't be anywhere near what you and Jen take, but I'll try to tell a good story to go along with it to make up the difference!

You really do need to bite the cruising bullet. You'd be in heaven with all the gorgeous costumes in the shows.

Sometimes you just have to push kids along a little don't you. We all know our kids and what they need. I was always so shy as a kid and I wish now that my parents had pushed me more than what they did.

Joining in!!

Yay, new readers! So glad you are here! Make yourself at home!

 

[jenseib]

Is it too late to join in? I just found your TR and am all caught up!

Your photos are awesome. Between you and Jen, you really have me drooling over the Dream. (Is there a drooling smiley????? Jen??????? Surely you have one??????)

Merry Christmas! Can't wait to read more!

Does that works?


Thanks for the recipes! They sound good!!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Thanks for the recipes Rinky! They both sound and look yummy!!! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

 

[kmrein]

Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for the recipes! We're hosting a Rose Bowl party this year for our Badgers and I'm going to try the bacon-wrapped little smokies.

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Rinky!

I've just caught up with your new TR - I remember reading your last one and really enjoying it

We went on the Dream as part of our honeymoon last summer and absolutely loved it! It was our first ever cruise & we've already booked our next one

Btw I think in your last TR, you wrote about doing 'pick a pearl' for your DD in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot? Well I wanted to say thank you as it inspired me to the same during our last trip, I love the cinderella carriage necklace I have now!


Hope you've had a great Christmas and look forward to reading more,


Emma x