Monday, April 30, 2012

Monday Media Blog-Daytime Talk Shows

Welcome to the Monday Media Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.

The airwaves are littered with them. Performers of all kinds – actors, athletes, journalists – try their hand at the genre.


Some were hugely successful – Phil, Oprah,


Jerry, Ellen

– while others faded away into television trivia.

Talk shows have been a staple on television since its inception. The daytime talk show is a kingpin in the market for its relative reasonable cost to produce.

Actors, chefs, animal trainers all desire air time to talk about their latest project, recipe, or animal curiosity, so talk shows oblige. A steady stream of guests allows for an easy format to fill.

But not everyone succeeds with this formula. To air original programming five days a week that is interesting, entertaining, and doesn’t get stale requires far more work than it seems.




This week’s focus of the Monday Media Blog is favorite daytime talk show of all time. List the program/host and explain why it was/is your favorite.

Did you enjoy the topics that pushed the limits of televisions prudish nature? Did you enjoy the shock approach of certain programs? Are you a star gazer and loved to ogle your celebrity du Jour?

I look forward to reading your selections of favorite daytime talk shows of all time.

Please join me tomorrow for the uplifting and heart-warming Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Friday Music Blog-Virginia is For Lovers Edition

Welcome to the Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.

This week the NASCAR action moves to Richmond International Raceway (RIR) for some superb short track racing.




RIR is located in Virginia where the slogan is “Virginia is for Lovers”. That gives me a ton to work with for this week’s topic.




This week’s focus of the Friday Music Blog is varied. Songs can be about Virginia, mentions Virginia in the title or lyric, or was performed by Virginians.




In addition, any song that is about lovers or mentions lovers in the title or lyric is also acceptable.



I look forward to reading your selections that fit these topics. You are encouraged to check back on this post throughout the day and weekend as new entries are added all of the time. In fact, weekends are a great time to utilize Chief 187™Chatter for numerous reasons.

Looking for a great recipe to try that is easy to prepare and delicious? Scan Tantalizing Thursday posts.

Looking for a great movie to rent/stream? Use the search feature to find past Monday Movie Blogs. From the alphabetized entries to ones with specialty genres there are so many to access to make perfect choices.

Looking for some interesting/fun/heartfelt/funny/poignant/entertaining reads? Peruse the archives of Chief

187™Chatter
and discover pieces like "The Art of the Kiss", "Forgiveness", and "You Know". Learn about Simple Joys or delve into my freestyle Wednesday posts.

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Please join me back here on Monday for another week of all new, fresh, and original posts on Chief 187™Chatter.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Tantalizing Thursday-Virginia is for Lovers

Welcome to a love-infused Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.

When my good friend Chef Eddie realized that short track racing was in Richmond, Virginia this week at Richmond International Raceway, he contacted me.









Excited because “Virginia is for Lovers”; Chef Eddie unloaded two of his popular and passion-inducing recipes for me to share with my readers. I am thrilled to provide these recipes to you!




Duck a L'Orange
Recipe provided by Chef Eddie




Ingredients/Directions:
Makes 8 servings

4 whole ducks, already cleaned and ready to cook. You may need to hunt for them in a specialty butcher shop.
Get the grill going up to about 375 to 400 degrees
Take the ducks and set them upright on a grating in a shallow pan and then straight onto the grill.
You may need to do 1 or 2 at a time unless you have a big ol’ grill.
Let them roast for about 20 minutes then start basting them with the orange sauce for about another 15 or 20 min.

Basting glaze:

Boil about a1/4 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar until it caramelizes
Add 8 tbsp. of sherry vinegar
6 cups orange juice
6 cups chicken stock (or broth)
Stir the mixture up and let simmer until it reduces by about 1/3
Add 1 cup of butter and 8 tbsp. of orange zest
Cut up 2 oranges into sections and add to the sauce and stir it all in.

Pull off of the heat.

Stick a meat thermometer in the breast and once they are at about 175 degrees, yank them off, they're done!!!

Once you've carved them up pour more of the sauce over the duck on the plate.
Be sure to get some of the orange slices too. Enjoy!




And what could be more perfect for this romantic and sinfully delicious dinner than an equally sinful dessert?!

Chef Eddie recommends and has provided a recipe for Bananas Foster.




Here it is in Chef Eddie’s own words:


In recognition of the slogan, Virginia Is For Lovers, there is no better desert to get the night going in a hot, steamy way than Banana's Foster! This is really an easy desert to make and is sure to impress. Here goes!

You'll need: 4 bananas, peeled, halved and sliced long ways
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Dark Rum
Vanilla Ice Cream
Pound Cake, optional

Using a large skillet, first melt the butter. Using a wooden spoon, add the Brown Sugar and stir together. Then, trying not to break the bananas, add them to the skillet, over medium heat, and cook on both sides until caramelized. Remove from the heat and add the Dark Rum. Now, VERY CAREFULLY return to the stove and with a long lighter, slowly lower the flame until the Rum ignites. Be VERY careful, and stand back, just in case. Let the bananas cook until the flames die out on their own, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Once the flame dies out, serve over A scoop or 2 of Ice Cream and if you like, also with pound cake.
This recipe will feed 2.

Be sure to feed your partner slowly, allowing him or her to savor every bite, while gazing into his or her eyes. Watch them melt to your every desire.

OR

Grab a spoon and slam it all home, M-M-Good!!!!!




Chef Eddie has a way with food and words!


For those of you who have enjoyed the connection between the NASCAR venue and the foods indigenous to the region, here is a recipe that complements Chef Eddie’s and also has ingredients tied to Virginia.






I often equate Virginia with peanuts so I found this recipe for a salad that can be served with Chef Eddie’s Duck a L’Orange.

PEANUT AND CARROT SALAD
Recipe found on http://www.aboutpeanuts.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=432&Itemid=66




Ingredients:

2 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon grated onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
lettuce or chicory
1 tomato cut into thin wedges


Directions:

Combine carrots, peanuts, onion, salt and mayonnaise. Mix lightly and serve on crisp lettuce. Garnish with tomato wedges. Makes 6 servings.

Whether you make these recipes or snack entirely on boiled peanuts throughout the race, I hope you enjoyed this post, Chef Eddie’s deliciously steamy recipes and the sexy vibe he created.

Please join me tomorrow as we close the week out with the ever popular Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Love Part IV

Love is a many splendored thing.

Love can move mountains.


Love has inspired great works of art.

Love pisses you off.

Love hurts.

Love springs Eternal.



Love is.

And I, dear readers, am in love with love.

The good, the bad, the poignant, and the enraptured.

Remember, Love makes the world go around.

Here are this month’s selections for my exploration of my passion for love.


Songs:


“On the Wings of Love” – Jeffrey Osborne A rich, sumptuous song that makes me melt into the lyrics, fly into my dreams, and want to fall in love again and again.

“A Whole New World” – Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle from Disney’s Aladdin A magical, mystical, romantic tale of two young lovers exploring the world and each other. This is Disney so it’s not lewd, just purely sweet yet still passionate. I often cry when I hear this version… in a good way!

“I Love You” – Climax Blues Band My husband’s favorite love song as I think he strongly identifies with the lyrics. Since he does, I do. If you haven’t recently, give this one a listen. Awesome.


Movies:

The Way We Were – Have you seen this movie with a strikingly handsome Robert Redford and possibly the most attractive Barbra Streisand? Tender, romantic, silly, and heart-wrenching, this movie is jam-packed with emotion-inducing material. I’ve only seen it once, but it has stuck with me for decades.


Field of Dreams – Yes, I know this Kevin Costner vehicle is a baseball movie, but it is so much more. It is a love story to baseball, Iowa, father/son relationships, friendship, familial ties, and has a very sweet look at marriage between Costner’s Ray and Amy Madigan’s Annie. This movie is one I am compelled to watch whenever I see it on television.

Love Story – It’s sappy, extraordinarily and almost oppressively sad, but before you get to that point, you get to watch Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw fall in love as Oliver and Jenny. Love means never having to say you’re sorry.


Books:

Love Story by Erich Segal This is, of course, the book that was the basis of the movie. I picked it up from my mother-in-law when I was in high school. I knew I loved romance novels and the title drew me in easily.

My husband’s family and I were on a road trip, the reason I picked the book. I started reading the moment we left the driveway. Not two hours down the road I was finished with the book and was racked with convulsive tears.

Perhaps it’s not a book for everyone, but if you are a hopeless romantic, enjoy a fast-moving story, and believe in love, I would recommend this book.


The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank I found this in the book closet of my classroom when I was a school-aged girl. The premise was interesting to me as I was new to keeping a diary and felt compelled to read this girl’s.

Though not a “traditional” love story, this is truly a story of the love of a boy (Peter), a family (Anne’s), the friends she lived with, and, in the end, humanity. Such deep and soulful truths were penned by a young girl in the most uncivilized circumstances. Yet her beauty, innocence, turbulence, and maturation shine through to any generation who reads her words. Timeless, heartfelt, romantic, and, even at the bitter end, optimistic, this is a love story that should not be missed.


Secrets by Danielle Steel I wrote about my passion for reading DS books, but I lumped them together in one entry. I feel compelled to highlight my favorites over the months to come.

Secrets was the second novel I read by Ms. Steel. It is a rich story about actors starring in a nighttime soap opera and was written in the 1980s at the height of that genre. It’s a fun, tawdry, interesting look at this chapter of Hollywood’s history. With television nighttime soap Dallas being re-launched for a new generation, this one is worth a read!


Some might see my inclusion of a Danielle Steel novel with The Diary of Anne Frank as sacrilege, but I defend my choices. This is a post about love and the words, songs, and images that keep love alive for me daily.

Different inspirations have been derived from all of the selections I have included today and the past three editions of “Love”. Each one has molded me and my thoughts in some way. They are all vitally important in the way I perceive love, find compassion, and show love.

This is my list for the month. I am always anxious to hear from you. What are some of your favorite songs, movies, and books that deal with the topic of love in some way as you see it?

Please join me tomorrow as I continue the theme of love on Tantalizing Thursday. Chef Eddie contributes two sexy recipes that induce feelings of love from those who have dined on them. I’ll be sharing them with you tomorrow in honor of the NASCAR race from Richmond International Raceway in Virginia on Chief 187™Chatter. Remember, Virginia is for Lovers!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.



If you are new to this post, I welcome you. Simple Joys are the little times in our day that make life sweet. They are unexpected surprises, planned fun, peaceful moments, poignant ones, and so many other tidbits that add up to a wonderful life.

Life is harrowing and difficult to navigate, but Simple Joys smooth the road, enhance the scenery, and lift the spirits.

Although sometimes nearly impossible to fathom, Simple Joys are there for the taking in everybody’s life. It takes patience and focus at first to locate them in one’s life, but Simple Joys can and do exist for all.

Once you welcome Simple Joys into your life they become easier to find and identify. And, once Simple Joys become part of your routine, you find infinite ways to find and create them on your own!

Each week I write down my favorite Simple Joys. I welcome you to join me.

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.


Garbage Day. On Garbage Day last week I was unable to bring up the cans from the curb. My schedule was thrown off and thus my routine was. When my eldest child got off the bus he automatically picked both cans up, put the lids on, and brought them to the house.

This may not seem like a big deal to some, but it was a huge Simple Joy that the child saw a job needed doing and did it without being asked.



Lego Pack Meeting. We have a new Cubmaster in our Pack. He is kind, long on fun ideas, and a positive infusion of energy to our Pack. For the April Pack meeting him and his team of advisors planned a special visit by a couple of employees of the "local" Lego store.

The ladies brought a huge Wolf Scout (over four feet tall) made from Legos, a bag of Legos for all of the boys to build their own American flag like the patch on their uniforms, and a couple of Lego magazines for each scout. In addition, they had a drawing and gave away about a dozen Lego toys, t-shirts, and paraphernalia.

What was most memorable was the immense joy in every child’s face, the fact that the CubMaster was able to conduct his “business as usual” in a meaningful way, and that the entire group will remember this Simple Joy for a lifetime!


Coach. My son is fortunate to have a wonderful coach for his Little League Minor team. Never being involved in team sports in the neighborhood before, I didn’t know what to expect. I was delighted after the very first practice when my son loved his coach and felt a part of the team.

During practices I can see and hear the way the coach and his staff conduct themselves; they are good men. When addressing the team as a whole or as individuals the coach offers constructive advice, no matter how obvious, with tact, humor, and good-naturedness.

I’m over-joyed my son has landed on such an amazing team with a fantastic coach to teach, correct, and lead these boys. Adding this coach to my circle has been a Simple Joy!


Opening Day. Saturday was Opening Day for my oldest son’s Little League Minor baseball team, the Thunder. He was fully suited up for the first time and I was bursting with excitement and pride for this "first" in his life.

My son played decently for his first day; he was walked at his first at bat and struck out on his second. He played left field and had to run for the ball a couple of times, but got the ball to the right kid to get it back in the infield.

My husband and I were able to enjoy the entire game even with our younger children about because they thankfully were playing with other children in a safe environment with my eye on them.

It may have been only the first game, but I could totally get behind giving up my Saturday afternoons watching my son and his friends play baseball.

Oh, and, by the way, the Thunder won 20 – 4.




Slide show. We had a wonderful vacation to Disney World and other parks in the area. We took pictures and videos with our digital camera but had yet to sit down to relive our experiences.

On Sunday night we gathered the children on our laps and started the digital slide show. It was so fun to trace our steps each day we were away.

It’s a Simple Joy to have the modern technology to have a spur-of-the-moment slide show that required no special equipment or set up!

There are all types of Simple Joys that appear to me throughout my days and weeks. Each one, though weighted differently, is no less important than any other.

Each Simple Joy acts as a conduit to making my day, my life better.

To keep perspective I write my Simple Joys down weekly and share them with you to enjoy. Whether you write yours down or merely take a moment to think about them, I hope it helps bring peace and clarity to your life.

Wishing you all a lifetime of Simple Joys.

Please join me tomorrow as I wax poetic on yet another topic on Chief 187™Chatter.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Monday Media Blog-Favorite Disney-Pixar Movie

Welcome to the Monday Media Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.

Last week I introduced the topic of favorite Disney films (non-Pixar) because I didn’t want the more modern movies to overshadow Disney’s long history of enjoyable fare.



The post was very popular and garnered a lot of responses here and on Facebook where I promote my work and others share it.

Still, some people, perhaps unknowingly perhaps not, chose Disney-Pixar movies as their favorites.

The ultimate plan on my end was to do Favorite Disney-Pixar Movies this week as a prompt. And so I am!





Toy Story was the first of the full-length Disney-Pixar films in 1995 and Brave, out in theaters this spring (2012), is the latest.



What do you like about Disney-Pixar movies versus other animated films? Did a child force the movie into your life or would you have sought the movie out on your own sans children?

I am looking forward to reading your favorite Disney-Pixar movies. There are only 13 movies to choose from currently so I suspect we’ll see a lot of the same titles, but which ones?!

Please join me tomorrow for the ever-popular Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Friday Music Blog-Kansas

Welcome to the Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.




This week NASCAR stops at the Kansas Speedway for the running of the STP 400.











Kansas and music do mix brilliantly so I’m excited to get this prompt up and collecting selections from y’all!


The focus for the Friday Music Blog this week is songs with Kansas in the title or lyric of the song, bands or

artists from Kansas, or, as a twist, any songs about gambling as Kansas Speedway does have a casino!

Leave your selections below and do include the artist/band and song name(s).




Please continue to check back with this post as people do add their selections throughout the day and weekend. In fact, weekends are an ideal time to visit Chief 187™Chatter for a fun read, a movie title to rent/stream and enjoy, and/or try a new, easy, and tasty recipe!


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I hope you can join me back here on Monday as I began another week of entirely fresh, new, and original posts on Chief 187™Chatter!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Tantalizing Thursday-Kansas Fare

Welcome to Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.

This week NASCAR journeys to Kansas Speedway for the STP 400. I’ve been excited for this stop if not for the racing at this 1.5 mile tri-oval, but for the connection to food I get to make on this post.



Kansas has a plethora of food and recipes to tap and I’m going to offer a small sampling here. I hope you enjoy my picks!

Kansas City Steak Soup
Recipe found at http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Kansas-City-Steak-Soup/Detail.aspx




Ingredients:

• 1 pound round steak, chopped
• 1 cup margarine or butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 gallon water
• 1/4 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
• 16 ounces stewed tomatoes
• 12 cubes beef bouillon
• 2 tablespoons margarine or butter


Directions:

1. Make a roux by melting the butter or margarine, then stirring in the flour. Brown gently.
2. Gradually add 2 cups of the water to the roux and stir until smooth. Add the remaining water, the carrot, onion, celery, frozen vegetables, canned tomatoes, and beef base granules.
3. In a skillet saute the steak in 2 tablespoons butter or margarine until browned. Drain off all the grease. Add the browned steak to the soup and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 hours or until the vegetables are tender. Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper. Once cooked this soup may be frozen for later use.


This recipe appears on allrecipe.com as indicated above. All of the comments following the recipe do make tweaks including using more steak, fresh not frozen vegetables in greater quantity, more herbs, and beef stock not bouillon cubes and water. As a base recipe, though, everyone who commented insisted this recipe was a good rendition of the Plaza III Soup from the Kansas City restaurant of the same name.


We are moving from soup to barbeque sauce as Kansas (City) is known for some of the most sublime BBQ in the country.

Big Al's K.C. Bar-B-Q Sauce
Recipe found at http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Big-Als-KC-Bar-B-Q-Sauce/Detail.aspx




Ingredients:

• 2 cups ketchup
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
• 4 teaspoons hickory-flavored liquid smoke
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper



Directions:

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, mix together the ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke and butter. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, celery seed, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper.
2. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for up to 20 minutes. For thicker sauce, simmer longer, and for thinner, less time is needed. Sauce can also be thinned using a bit of water if necessary. Brush sauce onto any kind of meat during the last 10 minutes of cooking.


This recipe had glowing reviews and prompted one person to write that this was her “one and only BBQ sauce” from here on out. She gushed that the sauce is, “thick, sweet, spicy, and beautiful in color”!

As I’ve mentioned before, I enjoy and recommend coleslaw and cornbread with my BBQ!


Next I’m offering a recipe I found that is great for vegetarians but so delicious that all who love good food would enjoy!

Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Corn
Recipe found at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pasta-with-fresh-tomatoes-and-corn/detail.aspx




Ingredients:

• 8 ounces pasta
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup whole corn kernels, cooked
• 4 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large pot with boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried basil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the tomatoes, corn kernels, and scallions. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Toss pasta with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired.



I am a huge pasta fanatic so this recipe utilizing summer’s freshest ingredients truly spoke to me! Adding a tossed salad and a baguette makes this an easy, wonderful, tasty, and satisfyingly healthy meal.


And now for dessert! This was a no-brainer for me after scouring recipes. With the first ingredient being Oreo cookies (a proud NASCAR sponsor and America’s favorite cookie), I included it immediately! Enjoy!


Kansas Dirt Cake
Recipe found at http://www.food.com/recipe/kansas-dirt-cake-99284




Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) package Oreo cookies
2 (3 1/2 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding
3 cups milk
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip , thawed


Directions:

1 Crush oreo cookies in a blender or food processor.
2 Put half of the crushed cookies on the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan.
3 Mix together the pudding and milk.
4 Chill until set.
5 In a separate bowl, cream together the cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
6 Fold in prepared pudding and Cool Whip.
7 Spread mixture over cookie crumbs.
8 Top with remaining cookie crumbs.
9 Freeze at least 8 hours before serving.


There are so many more recipes from America’s Heartland. When NASCAR revisits Kansas in October, I’ll post more recipes from Kansas on Tantalizing Thursday then, too! In the meantime, I hope you will add these recipes to your repertoire!

Please join me tomorrow for the week ending and always popular Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter!




Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Buying into Disney Magic

I know it’s cliché but it’s true, Disney World really is the happiest place on Earth. I always try to remain nonchalant when going to the amusement park, but no matter how hard I try, I cannot contain my enthusiasm and joy.




Disney World is the real deal. And the only thing better than going there with my husband, is going there with my husband and three children.






First, I completely buy into the whole Princess concept. Having boys I was not privy to what the notion was to be wrapped up in the world of Disney Princesses. Now that I have a daughter of my own, I’m finding out in rapid order.

My two and a half year old received her first Princess costume at Christmas. She was enamored with it instantly and the battle began of when and how to take it off of her when it was bathtime or bedtime. We each embarked on a “learning curve” and by the time we took our girl to Disney World, my little Princess was ready for all of the Disney magic.

Whatever dress she or the droves of other little princesses wore, they were greeted by all staff by their Princess name (i.e. Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, et al). And no child feels out of place for having dressed up because boys and girls alike donned outfits with their favorite characters in mind.

I applaud Disney for embracing the characters created and playing each detail to the hilt so every single child feels special and a part of the day’s fun.


My daughter, though very young, will probably never forget the staff referring to her as Rapunzel when she entered a room, ride, show, or restaurant. It was a part of the Disney experience that made me feel extra-special as well.

Whether my family was meeting Mickey Mouse or watching live action performances with The Little Mermaid or Belle from Beauty and the Beast, each venue was spectacular yet accessible to the children’s many age groups and interest levels.



I felt my family and I were treated to a perfect mix of education, fantasy, fun, arts, music, and so much more. Best of all, I got to witness it all through the eyes of my three delighted children who listened, learned, participated, and looked on with awe.

Crowd control seems to be a Disney specialty. Having taken my family to Disney World over Easter week there were definitely throngs of people to contend. Fortunately, Disney is huge and has the best possible way of dealing with crowds.

I have much to compare it to as we also took our family to Universal Studios Island of Adventure for The World of Harry Potter. Unfortunately, we hardly did much of the park as the lines and waits were horrendous. Chaotic may even be the word I would choose to describe the melee! The following day my family returned to a Disney Park and I quietly vowed to never visit the other park again!


A Disney Vacation takes organizing, saving, devising plans, and lowering expectations on how much you can accomplish in one day. But, making it a priority destination, especially if one has children (but it’s not necessary to have them to go and enjoy) is worth every cent!

I truly do believe that Walt Disney World in Florida is the Happiest Place on Earth. I also believe fervently in “Happily Ever After”.

Please join me tomorrow for a delicious recipe on Tantalizing Thursday spotlighting Kansas fare on Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.