MY RECIPE CORNER - KICK- ASS DELICIOUS MARSHMALLOW SWEET POTATOES

Hello all,

When I think of November, I think of one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. I just love getting together with family and friends. I also love all of the delicious recipes this time of year! My recipe for kick-ass marshmallow sweet potatoes is a tried and true family favorite.

I have used this recipe to make kick-ass marshmallow sweet potatoes since my kids were small. I always get a lot of compliments on them. They especially go well as a side dish for Thanksgiving. I think the secret is the addition of orange juice. They are very sweet. Here it is, Enjoy-

MARSHMALLOW SWEET POTATOES-

INGREDIENTS:
2 large cans of sweet potatoes ( I think they're about 23 ounces)
1/2 cup of butter
1/2 to 3/4 cup of orange juice
2 bags of mini marshmallows
1 tsp. cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:
Drain sweet potatoes into a bowl and smash with a potato masher.
Melt the butter and add it to the potatoes.
Add the orange juice.(I say 1/2 to 3/4 cup because you don't want them watery, but you want to taste the orange juice).
Add the cinnamon and stir.
Add a whole bag of mini marshmallows and mix well.
Spread into a  square 9 X 13 baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins.
Sprinkle the remaining bag of marshmallows on top of the potatoes and cook 5-10 more mins. until the marshmallows start to melt ( as many marshmallows as you like, I use half a bag).
Put the pan under the broiler for a few minutes if you want it browned ( I usually do for a few minutes).
Remove the pan, cool and enjoy. But be careful the marshmallows will be very hot!

SPOTLIGHT STORY- THE RENOVATION OF THE HAUNTED HACIENDA HOTEL

Hello all,

Yesterday I ventured downtown New Port Richey to take a tour of the Hacienda Hotel and to see the renovation project in the process there. I have been wanting to go inside the hotel for years. There are many rumors flying around of its haunted past. Such rumours are strange sounds, seeing strange objects sitting in hallways, and glimpses of a man in a dress shirt at one of the back windows of the hotel that fades away when you get near.

The hotel sits along the shores of the Pithlachascotee River in downtown New Port Richey. In the 1920's, though hard to believe, the hotel was once the place for Hollywood stars to retreat to. Stars like Thomas Meighan, Charlie Chaplin, Irving Berlin, Shirley Temple, Babe Ruth, Johnny Cash, and Gloria Swanson. The land was donated by James E. Meighan, the brother of silent movie star Thomas Meighan. It is rumored he won the land in a card game. They were both landowners in New Port Richey. The hotel was designed by Thomas Reed Martin. The hotel later served as a mental health facility for the elderly.

The renovation of the haunted Hacienda Hotel- our tour guide

The renovation of the haunted  Hacienda Hotel- outside

I took a short video of the start of the tour:

Our tour guide seemed very knowledgeable. She said the hotel has 45 rooms now, and they want to renovate it so it will have 65 rooms. I was surprised the hotel still looked in pretty good condition. The Friends of the Hacienda and Historic New Port Richey are trying to raise $70,000 to put towards the renovation. This was one of the first hotels where you could have your own private bathroom. Most hotels still shared bathrooms at the time. One of the rooms was named after Gloria Swanson because it was rumored she stayed there often.

I took video of my whole tour. I will share that story later. I have heard that there were secret tunnels under the hotel that were used to smuggle in alcohol and prostitutes during the Prohibition. Our guide said that a type of sonogram was done and that one of the tunnels  ran under the hotels hot water heater. It is also rumored to be another tunnel at the top of the stairs covered by red paneling. I didn't see any red paneling on the tour, but I did see quite a few boarded up doorways or openings.  It is also rumored that there is a secret floor that can be accessed from the outside called the Bordello. We walked around the backside of the hotel where the guide said the Bordello was.

The renovation of the haunted Hacienda Hotel- back of the hotel

Then we ventured into the basement. At this time I was still taking video. At the bottom of the stairs there was part of the room that was sanctioned off with what looked to be chicken wire and a door. On the wall inside the door was lettering that said "Killer Cage". When I walked around to get a better look my phone stopped recording. I couldn't get it to record anymore. So I took photos with my phone of the rest of the tour. I have no photos of the beginning since I was taking video at the time. What I found strange besides when it decided to stop recording, is for some reason I can't access any of my video. I'm still trying to view it with no luck! After the basement we went back upstairs through more rooms and hallways.

Then we get to the end of our tour and our guide says that this hallway is where most of their hauntings occur. That's when we go by room 16 where they have cups set up spelling a name across the floor. She said they spell out a name at night, and when they come back the cups have been moved to where they no longer spell anything. I found that very interesting. After the tour we took a short walk over to the Historical Society and talked with Jeff Miller to see if he could shed some light on some of the rumours. He affirmed that it did once serve as a mental facility for the elderly. He also affirmed that James Meighan won the hotel land in a card game. As far as silent film star Gloria Swanson frequenting the hotel, he has found no evidence of. He also has no knowledge of any of its haunted history or anything about the chicken wire caged room in the basement with the lettering "Killer Cage". Whatever you may believe it was great taking the tour. If you want to find out how to donate money to their fundraiser, their website is www.friendsofthehacienda.com.

The renovation of the haunted Hacienda Hotel- outside

                                 

The renovation of the haunted Hacienda Hotel- outside fountain

               

The renovation of the haunted Hacienda Hotel- haunted cup room

                     

The renovation of the haunted hacienda hotel- the haunted hallway

The renovation of the haunted Hacienda Hotel- haunted cup room

FLORIDA'S TOP 8 BEST CAMPGROUNDS

Hello all,

The weather is starting to get cooler out, even here in Florida. When I think of Fall, I think of family get togethers around a fire and camping. Florida has many wonderful campgrounds. I've put together a list of the top 8 best  Florida campgrounds for you to try!:

1. Fort Wilderness Campground - 4510 Fort Wilderness Trail, Orlando. I am dying to go to this one! It has dinner shows, character sing-a-longs, movies, hayrides, carriage rides, horseback riding, and fireworks on 750 acres of pine and cypress forests. It has exactly what you'd expect from a Disney campground, including the high price. For a family of four for a weeks stay at a preferred campsite its $534.00, less if you have your own RV.

Florida's top 8 best campground- Fort Wilderness

2. Florida Caverns State Park -3345 Caverns Road, Marianna. This park is home to the only open air caves in Florida. It costs $5 per vehicle, and only $20 for overnight camping. It also has hiking, biking, boating and fishing. Cave tours are extra. It also features a nine hole golf course.

Florida's top 8 best canpgrouns- Florida Caverns State Park

3. Silver River State Park - 1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala. This park is the home of the glass bottomed boat tours. If you camp on the weekends, you can also enjoy their pioneer cracker village, and their Silver River Museum. It's crystal clear water is great for canoeing. It has a full facility campground and 10 luxury cabins. Camping is $24.00 a night.

Florida's top 8 best campgrounds-Silver River State Park

5. Bahia Honda State Park - 36850 Overseas Hwy., Big Pine Key. This state park is known for its beaches, sunsets and snorkeling. you can also swim, fish, kayak, and boat. It also has a nature center and a full facility campground and cabins. Campsites are $36.00, cabins are $120-160.

Florida's top 8 best campgrounds- Bahia Honda State Park

6. Fort Clinch State Park - 2601 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach. This park sits on 1400 acres on Amelia Island. It has a fishing pier, swimming. Shelling and shark tooth hunting are popular. You can also visit the historic Fort Clinch where they have re-enactments from the Civil War. The fort is open everyday, and costs $2.00. The park has 69 campsites at $26.00 a night.

Florida's top 8 best campgrounds- Fort Clinch State Park

7. Fort DeSoto State Park - 3500 pinellas Bayway, S. Tierra Verde. This park has a 238 site full service campground . The campground has grills, electricity, washer and dryers, restrooms, showers,play area and a camp store. The park has a 7 mile waterfront that has fishing piers, hiking trails, canoe trails and swimming. Camping starts at $30.00.

Florida's top 8 best campground-Fort DeSoto State Park

8. Myakka River State Park - 13208 State rd. 72, Sarasota. This park has a natural wetlands area, a canopy walkway, and a tram safari. It sits on 58 acres and features swimming, fishing, canoeing and boating. The park has 82 campsites for tents that start at $26.00. Cabins start at $70.00

Florida's top 8 best campgrounds- Myakka River State Park

10 BEST FALL FREEBIES

Hello all

I wanted to share some great Fall freebies  with you I ran across recently. Seriously, who doesn't like to save money, especially this time of year! So enjoy these 10 best Fall freebies:

1. On October 27th, PF Chang's is having free sushi day! come to any one of their participating restaurants and you can get a free spicy tuna roll or a California roll, no purchase necessary. You just need to say its free sushi day,, and it's dine in only.

2. Okay, this one isn't exactly free but  it's close enough. At Olive Garden you can buy a kids meal for only $1 with the purchase of an adult entree. This offer is only available till october 30th, and you need to show them this coupon or you can print it out. http://e.olivegarden.com/H/2/v200000157f763b8e7a5c1aa369f35e926/HTML

3. At Starbucks, you can get a free drink when you sign up for their loyalty program and sign up for their emails. here's the link  https://www.starbucks.com/account/create/register

4. Though this one ends today, you can get 10 free cards at Tiny Prints with the code FREE10CARDS.

5. Purina is offering a free sample of their purina one cat food. Just fill out the form at  https://www.purinaone.com/cats/tender-selects-blend. I did this one today!

6. You can now get photo prints at Amazon for prime members. Right now they are offering 50 free 4X6 prints with free shipping with code OCT50PRINTS. You'll need to upload your photos to amazon drive.

7. Taco Bell is giving away free Doritos Locos  tacos on November 2nd from 2-6 pm because a base was stolen during the World Series.

8. The first Tuesday and Wednesday of every month the Lego store teaches how to build a mini model and they get to keep them for free. Coming up on November 1st and 2nd, they will be making a fox.

9. Sign up for Thrive Market's email list and you get a free 15 ounce organic coconut oil for just shipping and handling.  https://thrivemarket.com/giftbox/nutivacoconutoilmkt?utm_source=dedicatedmedia&utm_medium=affiliatemarketing&utm_campaign=29_&utm_content=giftbox_ncocooil&utm_term=cpl

10. Now at Clinique, you can get a free 7 piece gift with a $27 purchase plus 2 free extra treats. Just use the code MORE at checkout. it also gives you free shipping, such a great deal!  http://www.clinique.com/?cm_mmc=Linkshare-_-OOTtr9mlaCk-_-10001666-_-3

10 BEST FALL FREEBIES

Fall Flash Sale - 50% Off Fall Styles at Crazy8

This post contains affiliate links.

Take a look at this awesome sale for kids Fall clothes!

It's Fall time, time to bundle up your little ones! Run over to Crazy8 today to take advantage of HUGE savings! Beginning today, Crazy8 is offering 50% off fall styles. 

  Fall Flash Sale - 50% Off Fall Styles at Crazy8

MY RECIPE CORNER - 3 EASY DELICIOUS PUMPKIN RECIPES

Hello all,

Fall is here. It's my favorite time of year. Time for sweaters, and everything pumpkin. In honor of this time of year I'm posting some easy delicious pumpkin recipes I found. Enjoy and let me know how they turned out!

1. Homemade pumpkin pudding ( cincy shopper) -

INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp cornstarch
6 tbsp sugar
1 3/4 cups milk
1 egg
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla
1.2 tsp cinnamon
dash salt
dash nutmeg

DIRECTIONS:
Whisk egg and milk together and set aside.
Whisk sugar and cornstarch together in a pan over medium heat.
Slowly add milk and egg mixture to pan stirring constantly.
Bring to a boil for one minute and remove from heat.
Mix together remaining ingredients.
Gradually add the pumpkin mixture to pan while constantly whisking.
Return to low heat and cook for 3-4 more minutes constantly whisking.
Remove from heat and let cool then top with whipped cream.


2. Pumpkin swirl chocolate brownies (comfort of cooking) -

INGREDIENTS:
For pumpkin swirl filling -
3 ounces cream cheese
1 large egg
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

For brownies -
1 18 ounce brownie mix, and what it calls for on the box.

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Line a 9 inch pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
In a bowl beat all filling ingredients together and set aside.
In another bowl mix the brownies mix and its ingredients (what's called for on the box) together.
Pour 3/4 of the brownies mixture into the prepared pan.
Pour the pumpkin filling evenly over the brownies batter.
Then pour the remaining brownies mixture over that and then swirl through with a knife.
Bake 40-50 minutes till a toothpick comes out clean.


3. Pumpkin cheesecake (all recipes) -

INGREDIENTS:
2 8 ounce pkgs cream cheese
3/4 cups sugar
1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 large eggs
1/4 tsp salt
2 prepared pastry shells

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Beat together pumpkin, sugar, spices and cream cheese, then add the eggs one at a time.
Add salt and beat until creamy. Pour into prepared shells.
Then bake at 350 degrees till knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Easy delicious pumpkin recipes

IMPORTANT FIRST TIMER FACTS AND LITTLE KNOWN DISNEY SECRETS

LEARN THESE IMPORTANT FIRST TIMER FACTS AND LITTLE KNOWN DISNEY SECRETS

Hello all,

One of my most favorite places to visit in Florida is Disneyworld. In fact I'll be going with my granddaughter on her very first trip there next month! Of course I've done my research and found some important first timer facts to know before you go, and some little known Disney secrets to share!

One thing I feel that's important is Disney has a free app called My Disney Experience that shows you the ride wait times, maps, characters, FastPass reservations and dining info. This is one I definitely will be using. FastPass is something I'll have to try this time. It allows guests to reserve a time  for a ride at their choosing in advance. This way you avoid long lines for the ones you want to ride the most. You can do this the day you visit by going to one of the kiosks or by using the My Disney Experience app on your phone. It lets you schedule 3 FastPass reservations per park per day. Definitely a time saver. 

I've been hearing great things about Disney's MagicBands. Apparently they are only available here in Florida. It's a wristband with an embedded RFID chip that guests wear. It links to their tickets, resort room keys, dining reservations, FastPass info, and can even link to your credit card. It sounds very easy to use and convenient. 

This is an important first timer fact and time saving option for parents, the Rider Switch Pass. This allows one parent to stay with a child who isn't riding a particular ride. When the riding parent is done, the waiting parent can then use the pass and ride by using the fastpass return line. This pass is actually good for 3 people, so some who may have already rode can ride again.

If you are lucky enough to be staying at one of the Walt Disney World resorts, you can take advantage of their Extra Magic Hours. It lets you enter one hour before the official opening time, and stay for two hours after general public closing time. you can do a lot in that amount of time with very little people there.

Now for some little known Disney secrets:

Of the Presidential Seals in this country, one is located in the Hall of Presidents at Disney World. The other two are in the Oval Office and the hall where the Liberty Bell is housed.

Strategically placed devices called smellitizers are dispersed throughout the park and emit certain scents like the smell of cookies and vanilla on Main st. 

 Inside Cinderella Castle is a luxurious suite that can’t be booked and you can only stay there if you win a contest.

Utilidors is the name given to a secret tunnel system under the Magic Kingdom which is used by cast members and other employees to navigate the park unnoticed

 If you look, you’ll notice thousands of hidden Mickey’s through the parks.

 Gum isn’t sold in any of the park to minimize the risk of people disposing their gum on rides and dropping it on the ground.

 When Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride closed, a tombstone for Mr. Toad was placed in the graveyard at The Haunted Mansion.

The same dog is used in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and the Carousel of Progress.

When Pirates of the Caribbean was being built in 1967, Disney Imagineers didn’t like the look of the false skeletons placed around the ride. So, with the help of UCLA medical school, they were able to place actual human skeletons around the ride. Most have been removed, though the skull and crossbones on the headboard are still human.

There are no bathrooms located in the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square. This is done to keep with the time period of that area.

Look down when in line at The Haunted Mansion, and you might spot a wedding ring embedded into the concrete. It’s believed to belong to the hanging bride who you see on the ride.

 Epcot’s American Pavilion is home to an American flag taken from the rubble of 9/11/2001.

 Guests in Walt Disney World are never more than 30 steps away from a trash can.

Visit The Hat shop on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom and you'll see an old pay phone on the wall. Pick up the receiver and you can eavesdrop on an interesting conversation.

 An imagineer named George was killed during the building of Pirates of the Caribbean.  It is said his ghost haunts the ride to this day. Workers say goodnight George before they shut down the ride each night as a superstition to prevent the attraction from breaking down the next day.

 The lake used for Fantasmic is only about 1 foot deep.

 You never have to pay for water in Disney World. Just go to any quick service restaurant in the park and ask for a cup.

When aboard the Mark Twain River Boat ride ask the pilots if you can visit the captains room. This is a secret code that will grant you access to the room the ship is piloted from.

Main Street USA is a little slice of Americana. Above this idyllic small town setting you’ll find about a dozen American flags. One thing though, none of them have 50 stars.

Columbia Harbor restaurant has two entrances. From the one in Fantasyland, the decor is British. From the one in Liberty Square, the decor is early American. The restaurant symbolizes crossing the Atlantic from Europe to America, from a land of castles and fairy tales to new, thriving colonies.

So enjoy yourself next time visiting Disney and be on the lookout for more secrets to uncover!

Important first timer facts and little known disney secrets

Important first timer facts and little known disney secrets

Important first timer facts and little known Disney secrets