Day 1462: Dig a Little Deeper

I originally wanted to title this post "Almost There," but after 1461 days of never repeating a blog post title, I didn't want to reuse one now, regardless of how well it portrays the theme of 2017 here on Everyday Disney. 

As of today, January 1, 2017, I will have been blogging for four years - with a lapse here and there. But with a little extra time over the next few weeks, years one through four will all read 365 blog posts each, with an extra one for 2016 because of that extra day thrown in there. That's a lot of writing, a lot of blogging, and a lot of my life, all captured here in the pages that make up Everyday Disney. In addition, I've posted thousands of pictures on Instagram, uploaded over a hundred videos to YouTube, and joined other internet content teams in the process. 

Let's flash back to January of 2013, when I wrote my very first posts here on Everyday Disney. I wondered back then if I'd be able to accomplish this crazy, ridiculous goal I'd come up with of writing everyday for an entire year, especially when I was only writing about one topic - and even if that topic was Disney. I still remember sitting in one of my high school's computer labs, typing away and designing the first elements of this blog. I was making decisions about my future back then, pretty much the same way I am now, only the decisions are a bit more drastic this time around. In 2013 it was what I wanted to major in, maybe worrying about who I would get as a roommate. Today it's a debate about what the rest of my life looks like, and no, I don't need to have it all figured out right now, but if there was one thing that helped me figure it all out back then, it was Everyday Disney. 

Which is why I see no reason this blog can't help me through the next big steps of my life too. Which means it's time for a new resolution, and this is where "Almost There" comes in. For years I've dreamed of applying for the Disney College Program, but even through my semesters at St. Norbert, it's been sort of a side thought, a fear and worry for the future. The future, it seems, is now here, and as I eagerly await for applications to open for the fall program, I grow anxious and excited. I am, to play on Princess and the Frog, "Almost There," and that means that now is the perfect time to focus back in on what helped get me to where I am today and solidify everything before I hopefully head off on a new adventure! 

So this year, my resolution is simple: I am going to write a blog, called Everyday Disney, which for 365 days, I will write a post a day, or at least put something on the blog in order to keep up with the days. 

Yes, yes, I know, you're not really supposed to repeat New Year's Resolutions, but the way I see it, I already know I can do this, but technically I haven't actually accomplished the goal. There's always been a week or so at the end of the year where I frantically attempt to make up any missing posts from the year, and this time, that just won't do. Fifteen hour days, six ensembles, twenty one credits be darned, I'm going to do this. I am going to write about Disney every day for the entirety of 2017, and I hope I'll continue to have you all, as always, to join me. 

So here's to 2017, and being "Almost There." Now's the time to "Dig a Little Deeper" and find what makes us truly happy, and then work maybe just a little harder to get there. 

Or we could start with some beignets. That could be fun too. 

Have a magical day and a happy new year! 

Day 1260: A First Look at Moana

The Tony Awards offered the perfect chance for a first look at the newest addition to the Walt Disney Animation Line-Up, Moana. Of course, if you know anything about this movie and it's instant connection to musicals, you'll know that Lin-Manuel Miranda, famed creator and star of the hit musical Hamilton, did some of the music for the film, and you can actually hear him in the trailer. Because how else were they going to get the entire Hamilton fandom super excited about this new film? And I guarantee that much of that same fandom will go check out the movie just to support him. I don't blame them. Lin is a really awesome guy. 

As for the rest of the trailer, I think I feel about the same now as I do with most of the new Disney films: a little confused, and a lot suspicious. After all, before Wreck-It Ralph I figured it would be a confusing mess of candy, and Zootopia was one I couldn't wrap my head around. Even as far back as The Princess and the Frog, and probably before that, I would sit, super suspicious of whatever Disney had planned next. 

Still, every film manages to impress me, and I'm certain that Moana will be no exception. I'm particularly excited for the opportunities this might bring to the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World, because you know it will appear sooner or later there. Personally, I love the Poly, and I love the inclusion of Polynesian culture and mythology in a full length animated film even more. 

Plus, how can you not be excited about Dwayne Johnson being a part of this cast? 

Have a magical day! 

Day 808: Tiana Style

There might just be one thing I didn't mention in the last post when considering the things that I've done over break, but this one just felt like a topic for a whole post.

I love food, like most people, and I definitely love Disney food, so when you put them together it's a match made in heaven. Granted, 99% of the time I can't really get my hands on Disney food, so I have to come up with a homemade solution. And that's the thing...I can make a lot more than just cupcakes, although that is my specialty. Oh no, I can make plenty of other stuff too (and in fact, while I love baking, I love cooking just as much)!

Which means that when my mom approached me a week or so ago about making beignets over break, I was 1. A bit confused, because I've made them before and it wasn't like it was something new and 2. All for it. After a number of busy days that meant no making beignets for me this past week, I finally got around to it, and the results were certainly delicious:

You know, I think Tiana's onto something here with these Man-Catching Beignets. All my friends loved them, and I think there's a great possibility for a special treat with these every once and a while. Now...if only I could figure out how to send them to my favorite actors...

Regardless, these beignets were absolutely delicious, and pretty darn easy to make, especially if you already know your way around a stand mixer, a rolling pin and a pot full of hot oil. The whole thing took me around two hours to make, and that's including sprinkling on that generous helping of honey and powdered sugar. The other great part about this delicacy? Most recipes make a TON of them. This one happened to make around 50 beignets, meaning I took some to three different friends and my family had plenty to snack on around our house too. So they're definitely a good choice for an easy dessert at a party or something. If you're curious as to what recipe I used, this particular time I used THIS recipe, but I change it up every so often. Last time I made pumpkin spice beignets, but that was years ago so don't get any ideas about asking me for the recipe there.

And yes, I do prefer powdered sugar and honey on my beignets, although most just stick with the sugar. I don't know why, but I just feel like it adds something extra to them!

Let me know if you make beignets yourself, and yes, I have been using the hashtag on my social media: #TianaStyle. So how does your #DisneySide Tiana Style show through? Cooking up some Gumbo? Whipping up a batch of Man-Catching Beignets like me? Let me know!

Have a magical day!