Turkey Day Gang 2009

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hi Lisa (and all),

We were at WDW last August for 13 days when Fran hit. I swear my feet didn't dry out until December! It was so rainy...we wore ponchos every day (and then left them in the trash at the end because they smelled so bad)! So, I'm going to start doing the anti-rain dance NOW for our September vacation. I'm OK with a bit of rain...but those all day rains we had with Fran were the pits!

We are really excited to be going...thanks again everyone for the pixie dust. Sometimes things do work out for the better!!!!

Karen

 

[pillow]

Hey Karen. I realize I'll be seeing you in about 3 hours, but in case I forget to mention . . .

Mike and I were at Disney at the end of Sept last year. We did the Everest Challenge and then hung out at Epcot for the food and wine festival - LOVED that!

See you soon.

Jodie

 

[sherreis]

Karen,

I'm excited for you guys and glad to hear that you'll be able to fit in a vacation. Now, to hope that you'll be able to come on the cruise (unless I missed something)...

We've stayed at CSR our last 2 trips and Jack, me and the boys really like it there. It is very peaceful and depending on any convention groups the bus transportation to the parks is awesome because the convention goers are busy all day.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hi guys,

Steve, Andrew and I had dinner tonight with Jodie (Pillow) and her DH (Mike). Had a great time...talked for about 3 hours (imagine that!). Her husband thinks she's as nutty as I am...posting on the Disboards, making new friends and laughing at the things we chat about. Good that that her DH and mine are "Disney-enablers" or else I think we'd both have to leave them for good ! (Sigh)...now I want to go on this cruise more than ever! This is such a wonderful group of people...so kind and friendly...

Hmmm....cruise with the turkeys or cook a turkey for the inlaws and outlaws ...hmmm...maybe Andrew and I will just have to ditch DH and run down the highway and hop on the ship !

Karen

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Karen,

I'm excited for you guys and glad to hear that you'll be able to fit in a vacation. Now, to hope that you'll be able to come on the cruise (unless I missed something)...

We've stayed at CSR our last 2 trips and Jack, me and the boys really like it there. It is very peaceful and depending on any convention groups the bus transportation to the parks is awesome because the convention goers are busy all day.

Thanks Sherri! We're pretty excited to go. Of all the resorts we've stayed at our favorite is Dixie Landings (Port Orleans Riverside...but it will always be Dixie Landings to us). We also have enjoyed Pop Century...nothing like a late night game of twister (or early morning game) to make you feel like a kid again! Our least favorite was probably Caribbean Beach. We liked the location of the Contemporary, but the theming...not so much!

It was funny, we were talking with Jodie and Mike tonight about our favorite resorts and Mike asked if we had ever stayed at the Polynesian. I used to want to stay there every trip...but then we went to Hawaii for 2 weeks and now I'm afraid that the Polynesian would feel like a "cheap imitation" of Hawaii.

I'll report back about CSR when we return....in the meantime, Andrew and I are happy to be Disney dreaming!

Karen

 

[pillow]

Hi Karen. We enjoyed dinner as well! Andrew is so sweet, and what a good sport to not complain about hanging out with us boring grown ups. I hope we didn't corrupt him too badly!

I really hope you guys can come on the trip. I think Andrew would get along with Cary really well. I'm just picturing myself sitting at the adult pool with a margherita in hand (sigh)! (I'm really not a lush, I promise!!)

OK - off to brave the heat. Since we're in the area, we really should go do some sightseeing. HOT!

Jodie

 

[LAMPSKIES]

They there all!!!! Lampy here been busy but now starting to check prices for different sailings.....there may be hope for all cancelling due to "the economy" look what cheap cruises is doing with a DCL sailing......first time I EVER remember DCL reducing a price...and yes the prices that I am posting do reflest DCLs web site....hmmmmmmm

7 nights departing September 26, 2009 on
Disney's Disney Magic




Brochure Inside $2,099
Our Inside $849
You Save 60%
Brochure Oceanview $2,399
Our Oceanview $999
You Save 58%



Brochure Balcony $2,999
Our Balcony $1,199
You Save 60%




$$$ Book now and receive a FREE $25 per cabin onboard credit, plus pay a reduced deposit of $125 (regularly $250) per person on select categories.
Promotions may not be combinable with all fares.


The prices shown are US dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. They include port charges but do not include airfare or (where applicable) airport or government taxes or fees.

ITINERARY


DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART
Sat Sep 26 Port Canaveral, FL 4:00pm
Sun Sep 27 At Sea
Mon Sep 28 At Sea
Tue Sep 29 St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles 8:00am 7:00pm
Wed Sep 30 St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 8:00am 4:30pm
Thu Oct 1 At Sea
Fri Oct 2 Castaway Cay, Bahamas 9:30am 5:00pm
Sat Oct 3 Port Canaveral, FL 7:30am

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hi Karen. We enjoyed dinner as well! Andrew is so sweet, and what a good sport to not complain about hanging out with us boring grown ups. I hope we didn't corrupt him too badly!

I really hope you guys can come on the trip. I think Andrew would get along with Cary really well. I'm just picturing myself sitting at the adult pool with a margherita in hand (sigh)! (I'm really not a lush, I promise!!)

OK - off to brave the heat. Since we're in the area, we really should go do some sightseeing. HOT!

Jodie

Hmmm...I'm thinking that I may have to start some rumors about Jodie and margheritas !

Seriously, we had a great time too last night. I'm so glad that we could connect and I hope you've enjoyed the few places we've suggested for dinner.

On a happy note, We haven't cancelled our cruise reservation...and we're still hoping. We should know alot more within 6 weeks (we think the "work drama" may settle down enough then to know if getting Thanksgiving vacation is possible).

More soon,

Karen

 

[alwayslisad]

Good morning all - from a very WET Laconia New Hampshire. We are currently in the midst of BIKE WEE here in my small city. So picture TON's OF LEATHER and lots of noise! I stear clear of the roads and let them have fun - it is of course revenue for our city and if they want to spend - we will let them

Renee is now officially a SENIOR - wow that was a fast 3 years - I remember all of her "firsts" and this one is killing me for some reason. She also got her Drivers Lic. on tuesday ( double )

Well only 148 days for us to head out to Orlando for our vacation. It is looking more and more like Sister and family will not being joining us - things are just not going well there - but I am hoping and praying for sure

We will arrive in Orlando on 11/15 and then we have a few days at a condo before we go back to MCO for our pre night Hyatt

we chose to do the Nasa & Seaworld excursions while here - both gave me two day passes - in case we didn't see everything so that is good

Hope everyone is safe and to all the Daddies out there:

"HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!"

 

[Mickeyhugger]

They there all!!!! Lampy here been busy but now starting to check prices for different sailings.....there may be hope for all cancelling due to "the economy" look what cheap cruises is doing with a DCL sailing......first time I EVER remember DCL reducing a price...and yes the prices that I am posting do reflest DCLs web site....hmmmmmmm

7 nights departing September 26, 2009 on
Disney's Disney Magic




Brochure Inside $2,099
Our Inside $849
You Save 60%
Brochure Oceanview $2,399
Our Oceanview $999
You Save 58%



Brochure Balcony $2,999
Our Balcony $1,199
You Save 60%




$$$ Book now and receive a FREE $25 per cabin onboard credit, plus pay a reduced deposit of $125 (regularly $250) per person on select categories.
Promotions may not be combinable with all fares.


The prices shown are US dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. They include port charges but do not include airfare or (where applicable) airport or government taxes or fees.

ITINERARY


DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART
Sat Sep 26 Port Canaveral, FL 4:00pm
Sun Sep 27 At Sea
Mon Sep 28 At Sea
Tue Sep 29 St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles 8:00am 7:00pm
Wed Sep 30 St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 8:00am 4:30pm
Thu Oct 1 At Sea
Fri Oct 2 Castaway Cay, Bahamas 9:30am 5:00pm
Sat Oct 3 Port Canaveral, FL 7:30am

No good for us...school has just started 4 weeks prior.

Rob

 

[ratt1345]

Lampy, good to hear from you. As far as I could tell, it has been awhile. Those look like excellent prices.

Great to see only 127 days to go. Of course, it will be even better to get to double digits!!!!

Charlie

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Lampy - reading your posts reminds me you live in Indiana and not South Florida like us...There is an extremely good reason why September prices are so low...in fact September is usually one of the lowest priced months of the year...and there have been all sorts of discounts of late...the 3 day Wonder we just took was extensively reduced as well, though we did do the Florida resident rate...but getting back to my initial point....

While one reason is as noted above that school has just started in September, the really big reason is that well over 50% of all hurricanes hit in September!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The chance is quite good that your itinerary may get changed, or that you may wish it had been.

Anyway, we will be sailing in November...and yes, someone is bound to point out that in 2005 we dealt with the remnants of Gamma, but that was the extreme rarity, not the norm.

Chuck

 

[jeniamt]

Well, technically our anniversary is tomorrow (June 3). We just celebrated early since we were without Andrew for the entire weekend (love those grandparents!).


Happy anniversary to you all too....

And....here's my special chocolate cake recipe:

Hershey's Cocoa Fudge Cake (from the 1920s and 30s)

1 3/4 cups unsifted all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa (the unsweetened variety)
1/2 cup plus 1 TBS hot water
1 cup sour milk (take 1 TBS of vinegar and put in the bottom of the cup and fill the rest with milk)

Grease bottom and sides of cake pans (I use a bundt pan). Preheat oven to 350.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt on wax paper.

In a large bowl beat shortening and sugar together, add eggs and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. Blend cocoa into hot water to make a smooth paste. Gradually add cocoa mixture into creamed mixture...blend well. Add flour mixture alternately with sour milk into creamed mixture. Remember to begin and end with flour. Pour into pan(s) and bake until top springs back when touched. (Note: if you bake it in two round pans it will take about 30 minutes....if you use a bundt pan it will take about 45 minutes +/-). Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.

Priscilla, I usually use a bundt pan and when it cools I sprinkle it with powdered sugar. In my family we usually serve it with homemade (real) whipping cream or homemade vanilla ice cream. Steve just eats it with the powdered sugar and a huge frosty glass of milk!

Hope you enjoy it. My mom used to make this cake with her grandmother when she was little and that's how I got the recipe...my great-grandmother shared it with me when I was about 8 or 9...and it's always been a family favorite. My mom swears that the soured milk is the secret to this recipe!

One note, I usually mix up the cocoa paste in a 2 cup tupperware measuring cup and then I put the vinegar and milk in the cup after I dump the cocoa paste out so that I can get all of the chocolate out...it's what Granny B did...except her's was a glass one....and I just imitate her!

Karen

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!

In honor of my husband (daddy to 4) I made Karen's cake! Very yummy. Thanks for the recipe and here is a picture of it in its yumminess with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. Try to keep your drooling from hitting your keyboard

 

[missjudit]

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!

In honor of my husband (daddy to 4) I made Karen's cake! Very yummy. Thanks for the recipe and here is a picture of it in its yumminess with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. Try to keep your drooling from hitting your keyboard

Jen, your Dad enjoyed the cake, too, thanks for sending him home with a big piece. When he saw the picture he said "That's my cake." He even saved some of it for tomorrow. Thanks to Karen for the delicious recipe and you for makeing it.

 

[jeniamt]

I should have mentioned that I shared it with my dad too!

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Glad you all (and your dads) enjoyed it! Happy Father's Day to all the dads!

Karen

 

[sherreis]

Southwest just released their fares for November about 15 minutes ago! We had booked with Air Tran for flying down at $67 each but Southwest has $49. I cancelled Air Tran which was easy because they had changed our flight time and I booked with Southwest. And, we're staying in Florida till Monday instead of coming home on Saturday.

 

[jeniamt]

Southwest just released their fares for November about 15 minutes ago! We had booked with Air Tran for flying down at $67 each but Southwest has $49. I cancelled Air Tran which was easy because they had changed our flight time and I booked with Southwest. And, we're staying in Florida till Monday instead of coming home on Saturday.

Thanks for the tip!!! I had checked yesterday and probably wouldn't have checked for another week or so. I just booked, heading down on Thursday afternoon ($49) flying back on Saturday evening ($139). Now I just need to wait for Disney to release cheap rates so I can book our rooms for Thursday and Friday. We'll do MK on Friday. Cannot wait to take my princess loving 3yo as a warm-up to the cruise!

She's ready to go:

 

[sherreis]

Your daughter is adorable. Love those red curls. Did you make her dress? Love it!!!!! Hope you find a good deal. I got an email last week with a PIN for $1284 for 5 days/4 nights with tix and dining for 4 people. I'd love to get a room only code - even to just stay onsite without going to a park would be nice. Since we won't be staying onsite - I'll probably use some Marriott points.

I was down in Annapolis last week and I'm going back down on Sunday night - for work. I stay there when I need to be there more than 1 day. 2 hr drive in traffic gets tiring.

 

[momoftwins]

We are leaving Friday evening for $92 each and returning on Saturday at $101 each. We do try and fly out of BWI, but with taking kids out of school Thanksgiving week, I did not want to take them out on the Friday before.

So not the cheapest, but well within our budget. So, who knows, maybe a Ding will come out and I will have funds saved for my Disney trip next year.