Disney or Bust

We recently joined some of our friends on a down with February trip to Disney. I was terrified of the 13+hrs in the car but the time flew by. Kaileigh rocked out in the backseat like a traveling pro!
As a bonus, we escaped the remains of the icestorm. Awww the sweet sweet sunshine. Does wonders to the winter blahs.

Going as a group was simply the icing on the cake. Kaileigh loved seeing her friends so far from home. Plus plenty of daddies to carry small children on their shoulders ruled! Did I mention that February is an off season so the crowds are small?

Fort Wilderness did not let me down either. Super clean. Kaileigh got to ride a Shetland pony named Snow. The daily boat rides were fun as well.

Even though we have not been to Disney since the 80's it was still so much the same.

Oh and yup still love the tea cups!

Dam Pets!

The following is the conversation Kaileigh and i had as we were getting ready for bed tonight:

Momma, I want a dam pet. *waves hands*
You already have THREE of them.
No I don't. I want a dam pet. *more waving of hands*
(keep in mind that I am really tired and taking meds so I am not all that quick on the up take)
Kaileigh, you have one big dog, one dog that thinks its a cat and one kitten. We can't handle anymore pets.
a DAAAAAMMM PEEEEET! You know, one that MAKES DAAAAMMSSSS.
ohhhh. A beaver!?!
God, yes woman.
Don't talk to me like your Daddy.

All that was missing was a slap on the hiney and that would have sealed it.

I also just realized that I let the dam get by as if it was nothing. Hooray! I'm so close to that mommy of the year award I always dreamed of! So close.

Clean out your fridge manicotti

I love vacations but the return home can be a real downer. Especially if you are like me and concentrate on packing and getting ready and not what is in your fridge. I have been making it a top priority on my vacation prep to do list to eat all the goodies before they turn nasty and taunt me when I return.

Last night I opened my fridge and grabbed an armful of items that need to be eaten before we leave. Some ground turkey, carrots, mozzarella, some eggs and a small bit of cream cheese. A quick look through the pantry and I had a plan, manicotti.

Manicotti
1lb ground turkey
3 carrots, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
Italian seasonings* to taste
s/p to taste

2 eggs beaten
1/3 block cream cheese, softened
1 jar sauce of choice
manicotti shells, cooked per instructions

Brown your turkey, set aside
Saute carrots, onion and garlic (I think zucchini or spinach would work as well)
Combine half jar sauce with turkey, onions, and other veggies.
Stuff your precooked shells and place in casserole dish
Drop blobs of cream cheese onto shells
Pour beaten eggs over shells
Back for 30 min
top with cheeses of choice and set back in to brown.

Whew was that good. I had enough of the mixture to stuff 2 boxes of shells so I reserved half and froze it. I love make ahead meals. Even if they are only part way. I used cream cheese but you don't have to. I'm sure whatever cheese you have would work. Manicotti is very forgiving.

*The Italian Herbs that I use is the McCormick Italian Herb Seasoning GRINDER. I am not big on buying blends** but I really do like this one. I am not sure I will buy another one when this one is gone because I can do the same in my spice grinder. It is good though.

**Please note that I do buy Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning like it is going out of style. I will use that in just about any recipe that I can. I even used it in the manicotti :)